Over the last four years since we started Mercy Project, Ive had the privilege of speaking at all different kinds of churches to all different kinds of people who love Jesus. Just off the top of my head, Ive spoken at Baptist, Christian, multiple Episcopalian, Methodist, Non-Denominational, and a few Churches of Christ. (This ecumenical diversity and acceptance is actually one of the things I love most about our work.) Ironically, Ive never been invited to speak at the churches I grew up in or ministered in, likely because I am no longer a member of a Church of Christ. Even the church camp I grew up attending from 9-18 wanted me to come speak for a week but wasnt able to have me because bylaws stated all staff had to be active members of a Church of Christ. I would love to tell you this doesnt bother me, that Im over it, that I dont care. But its not true. Being rejected by my mother church, the people who first showed me the way to Jesus, wounds me. Being invited into the lives and faith journeys of so many people who have never known me while not being able to share our story with the ones who walked with me the longest on my faith journey is painful. Im not petitioning for more speaking chances. And Im not interested in a group bashing of the faults of the Churches of Christ. To be frank, Im not entirely sure what the point of this post is other than admitting that I do care. Its been something on my mind recently, and I needed to be honest about it. Rejection, especially by those churches who helped to raise and nurture you, hurts. Most of all, I pray we will all continue to grow into one united Church rather than a thousand divided churches. P.S. Please dont turn the comments into everything you dont like about the Churches of Christ. Thats truly not the heart of my post at all.
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 13:27:33 +0000
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