Why would anyone write instructions on how to ruin a church? Perhaps no one would read it if the title were, “How to Build Up a Church.” Because we are all sinners, we are more knowledgeable, and experienced with what it takes to destroy something than to build it up. But maybe if we identify some of our favorite antics and try reversing them, we can discover how to be positive instead of negative.
Truthfully, it takes more than reverse psychology to build a strong community of faith. The Psalmist said, “Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it” (Psalm 127:1). Our efforts will be wasted unless we invite God to guide and bless all that we do.
Some TV programs preface their shows with a disclaimer that says, “Don’t try this at home.” My disclaimer is, “If you want to ruin your faith community, try this at church.”
1. Avoid close contact. Join the church, but don’t get too close to fellow members. Stay away from potluck dinners, church picnics and other social gatherings. If you go, people will try to get to know you and be your friend.
2. Cultivate an attitude of distrust. How can you trust people you don’t “really” know? Especially the pastor! What if he or she doesn’t have their theology straight? Maybe their smile and warm handshake is just a facade, hiding a world of spouse abuse, pornography or greed? If you don’t trust anyone, you’ll never be duped.
3. Share your concerns. Like a baleen whale cruising for krill, put up your antenna and scour your church for the latest news. Some people call this gossip, but it really has more to do with being “in tune” so you can know how to pray.
4. Avoid small groups. If you join a small group you’ll have to get acquainted with individual members (with all their quirks). You’ll hear about people’s problems and family members, which could get messy. Just stick with the larger crowd and remain as anonymous as possible.
/5. Give sparingly to the local church budget. The more money an organization has, the less careful they are with it. Aren’t we all that way? Besides, there are plenty of churches in Borneo and India that need money more than your church. Time your giving to when the power company threatens to shut off the electricity. That way you know exactly how your money will be spent.
6. Avoid responsibility. Watch out if you have any obvious talents, skills or interests! Someone may key into these and ask you to share them with the church. We’ve all seen what happens to those poor souls who get suckered into teaching a class, directing the choir, or planning social events—they never get away! So, just lay low and act kind of dumb.
7. Evaluate the pastor’s sermons. Don’t worry about getting a blessing. There are so many bad preachers these days, why even try? Create a performance scale and use it to analyze the pastor’s sermon delivery, grammar, use of illustrations, subject matter, relevance and length. This will make you an astute critic, as opposed to someone who just sits there and listens.
8. Limit Bible study and prayer. Your Bible reading and prayer habits can be hazardous to the health of your church. It’s OK to get enough to make you “feel” religious, but be careful you don’t go too far. You know you’ve gone too far when you start reversing your comfortable habits and began participating in the life of the church. If that happens, what are people going to think?
Summary
Chances are you can probably add to the above list. You’ve been there and are familiar with some of the imperfections and quirks of your local church and its members (including the pastor). We're all pretty good at detailing the problems and mistakes of others. But it’s not as easy as it looks to ruin a church, and sometimes it takes years to pull off. If you are persistent and get others to join in, eventually you can do it.
But you don’t have to wait until then. If you “religiously” follow the above suggestions, your church experience can be ruined for you right now. Others may still enjoy the fellowship, Bible study and prayer times, the pastor’s sermons, potluck dinners and the like, but you’ll despise them all without anyone else even knowing.
Back From The Dead: Pulling Hope from Despair
Life and death is at work. Statisticians tell us that more people are being born than are dying. But the depressing reality is that everyone now alive will eventually die. It's something we don’t like to think about.
Life and death is also at work in churches. Some churches are barely hanging on—more out of a sense of duty and tradition than anything else. Week after week members warm pews to hear microwaved sermons that fail to inspire. Yet even in the midst of death, miracles do occur. Sometimes tiny mustard seeds of faith fall into the cracked, parched soil of church life and a cloudburst from heaven sends moisture to soften the soil. Through the Holy Spirit's power, God stimulates growth and produces life, even in the midst of death!
In the heart of the Laodecean church there is hope. Christ offers His white robe to cover our past failures, and a miracle eye salve to restore our damaged sight (Revelation 3:18). We are not left to die without hope! Out of this joyful convergence of healed believers springs the embryo of a shared life born of the Spirit. Scripture refers to this expression of faith as the body of Christ, the church. God is not intimated by death—even in the church!
How to promote life
The single most important thing you can do to promote the life of your church is to pray for yourself—that you will be the kind of person God wants you to be. As you respond to His leading, you will be amazed with how God is able to work through you to bless others. Like an infectious disease, your spiritual joy and passion will spread to others wherever you go. Your life will make a difference!
At the time this article was written, Rich DuBose was Director of Church Support Services for the Pacific Union Conference and a producer of Christian web content.
