For those who know me personally or those who follow this blog, you know that I am a sports guy. \u00a0I played throughout much of my life, I was blessed to be a part of some great teams, I have coached some, and now my children are playing various sports. \u00a0My favorite game to play without any doubt was\/is the game of baseball. \u00a0I know many people might not see it this way, but I always saw baseball as a chess game played on a field. \u00a0You always had to be thinking a couple of plays ahead to set yourself up for the best chance to win. \u00a0Sometimes you would sacrifice one player (a bunt situation especially) so someone else with more power could help you win, etc. \u00a0One thing that most baseball people know and are for the most part ok with is what is referred to as baseballs “unwritten rules.” \u00a0For the record, these “unwritten rules” are also what drive many non-baseball fans absolutely crazy. \u00a0Just a brief sample of some of baseballs “unwritten rules” are things such as if you hit a home run, you need to run around the bases. \u00a0Do not stand there and admire your homer. \u00a0That is grounds for getting plunked on purpose the next time you come up to hit, or in some instances the next guy who hits directly after you has to take your punishment for you. \u00a0Another one is if a pitcher is throwing a no-hitter and it is late in the game, you do not try to bunt to get a base hit and break up the no-hitter. \u00a0That one has serious ramifications for you if you do this. \u00a0One more example, if your pitcher hits one of my teammates and it appears on purpose, then I am obligated as a pitcher to hit your first batter of the next half inning. \u00a0No one knows exactly how many “unwritten rules” there are in baseball, because after all they are unwritten. \u00a0But there are a lot. \u00a0Sometimes someone might intentionally break one of those rules, and there are other times when someone doesn’t it but they don’t mean to. \u00a0Whether it is intentional or not, there are ramifications and some would argue, these unwritten rules ultimately hurt the game. \u00a0The validity of those rules isn’t the purpose of this blog post however. \u00a0I heard of a situation in a game yesterday. \u00a0One team got really upset, \u00a0but it doesn’t appear that any “unwritten rule” was violated. \u00a0But it created some bad blood and it has baseball fans talking about it. \u00a0But again, this isn’t the point. \u00a0So what is the point?<\/p>\n
The point of this blog is to ask this question, are there some “unwritten rules” of church? \u00a0Are there some known or perceived “rules” about going to church? \u00a0Another question that I am pondering is this, are those “rules” helping or hurting the church’s mission in reaching the lost with the Gospel? \u00a0My initial thought is that most if not all of these “unwritten rules” are hurting our Gospel witness in our community. \u00a0While we may have good intentions, just like baseball does in protecting the integrity of the game; I believe that some “unwritten rules” or “unwritten expectations” about going to church are pushing people away from seeking God and truly hearing the Gospel from otherwise great men and women who love God, and the great churches they attend. \u00a0So I want to have a little bit of fun, but also maybe shine some light on a few thoughts that may be hurting the church’s effectiveness in reaching the lost.<\/p>\n
This is what I would like you to do. \u00a0Whether you go to church or don’t. \u00a0Write in the comments below, what are some “unwritten rules” you have run into or believe exist for people who are going to go to church? \u00a0I am going to ask for one thing, please keep it respectful. \u00a0Don’t mention any names of churches or pastors. \u00a0While you may feel good about calling a church or a pastor out, it is not the right time, place, or way to do so. \u00a0I recognize that pastors (myself included) have unintentionally hurt people in the past, or people have gone to a church and been hurt by a church. \u00a0If that is the case, I would encourage you to reach out to the pastor or the church and have an honest conversation with them about what happened. \u00a0Speaking as a pastor, I don’t want to shy away from difficult conversations. \u00a0I realize that I am a fallen, sinful human being who though he doesn’t try to hurt others, sometimes is guilty. \u00a0And churches are made up of imperfect people who sometimes do things that cause hurt. \u00a0So let’s have some fun, shine some light, but show compassion and grace as we learn together.<\/p>\n
Pastor Justin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For those who know me personally or those who follow this blog, you know that I am a sports guy. \u00a0I played throughout much of my life, I was blessed to be a part of some great teams, I have … Read More