did you know christians come with disclaimers?

In the wake of the major church scandals that are currently rocking the world and shaking the body to the core, I have come to the realization that Christians come with a disclaimer. Make a mistake big enough, or public enough - and we have the right to disclaim you. Hand you a pink slip. Cut you from the team.

In our attempts at striving for earthly perfection - a church that does not falter before the world - we are willing to discard whatever weights or weakness that would slow us down or hinder our attempts...to cut our losses, our embarassments, our disappointments. I'm sure heaven is applauding our stealth damage control methods.

I mean, one can criticize Hitler's purging mechanisms in his quest for a superior race, but one can understand how those who make bad press for the rest the law abiding churchgoers, have to endure public and private crucifixion, excommunication, and disassociation. It's for the greater good of the team. How will we maintain our influence otherwise?

But in our haste of burning bridges and making sure that the world, and those weak in the faith, do not mistakenly associate "our" level of Christianity with that of fallen leaders and fraudulants - or their ministries, we've pulled the plug on the dirty bath water.

Did someone grab the baby?

And by baby, I am referring to the whole foundation for our faith. It's a BIG baby named GRACE. Maybe you'd forgotten about her. She was born while we were yet sinners. and is currently going down the drain.

In our efforts of trying to suck up our disappointment and save face, have we ever wondered what face we are trying to save? We'd like to think we're doing heaven a favour, but is it really our own? Partnered in pride, and the fear of being deceived?
Or is it for the Saviour, who, by the way, was numbered with the transgressors. So that makes HIM one of THEM...which makes it awkward for the rest of us on the other side of a burning bridge.

When someone disgraces the cause of Christ, it is our opportunity to be graceFULL. Jesus spent his time on this disturbed planet hanging out with the scandals of the day...he associated himself with sinners because THAT'S WHO HE CAME TO SAVE!

Now there's rocket science for you. Unfortunately some of us are still in first grade, and can't seem to understand the concept.

Let us not forget the man who penned many of the psalms was an adulterer, a liar, a murderer...a man after God's own heart. Whoah!...did that all come in the same sentence? We don't have to look far in the Bible to find faults. Or maybe we've been doing less reading and more reacting...

And in our reactions, what are we teaching each other?
The next generation?
The world?
That the church really doesn't tolerate sinners.
Mistakes.
That we cannot be open about our struggles because of the shame it could bring. The awkwardness it causes. The uncomfortable realization that we might just have problems.
And so many struggle in silence...and are struggling in silence.
Afraid of the condemnation of a church that should be practicing a truth that sets people free from their sin.

Instead of pointing our fingers, gossiping with our neighbours, and backing away from the lepers, perhaps God is asking us to touch them. To be a part of the healing and restoration into their lives. Will we risk social suicide to be God in this world?

My heart aches for Mike Guglielmucci, Todd Bentley,and their families...and the countless other wounded and struggling Christians who find themselves a stones throw away from people who once called them family.

But more than that my heart aches for the family that is standing, stones in hand - ready to cut ties with the weakest link.

When will we see the forest for the trees folks?

Maybe God's idea for a perfect church on earth isn't one that lives without mistake...but one that learns to live grace regardless of the sin.

Our heroes can often lead us down pathways of seeming success......only to carry us into heartache in a moment.

I will continue to pray and support them and their families.
I will continue to number them on my team - along with all the others who will inevitably follow.
Not because I am some kind of super Christian.
But because Christ is numbered with them - and I'd rather be on His side. His dream team isn't made up of Christians who get it right all the time.
It's made up of family, striving towards one goal, thru thick or thin.


Oh...can I say one more thing?
STOP BASING YOUR FAITH ON SINNERS!
I have heard so many stories of people "losing their faith" because of idiots in the church. News flash for you...the church is primarily made up of SINNERS -which, for the record, happen to NOT be perfect, make PLENTY of mistakes and will disappoint you on NUMEROUS occasions. Why put your faith in a faulty system? We should base our faith on someone that will NEVER change, and up until this point - the only thing that hasn't is God.