We need shoulders to cry on, hands to hold and hearts to be open. We need warm hugs and holy kisses. We need more Bible thinking and less Bible thumping.
Many people consider me far too critical of my former church for their liking and have labeled me such lovely terms as "backslider", "lost", and "heretic." One person even said, "a pig that wears lipstick is still a pig," insinuating that my choice to wear make-up in light of "holiness standards" would most certainly damn my soul to hell. (Sorry Miss Piggy, guess you're coming with me.) I write this to every person who has ever supported or prayed for me. I write this to those who dislike me because I'm too "brash" or "liberal." I write this for those who are questioning their faith or who have turned from it altogether. For the LGBT community. For the mentally ill. For those who suffer silently.
I want people to know that many of us who leave the church do so not because they want to give up on God, because we aren't being listened to. We have hard-pressing questions that deserve more than the repetitive response of "just pray about it." We're tired of hearing, "God won't give you more than you can handle," because let's be honest, there ARE things that we as humans simply cannot handle. We don't want to be added to prayer chains or be chastised for not having enough faith. We don't want another youth event with loud music and glorified preachers. We don't want casseroles and cookies when our loved ones pass away.
We need shoulders to cry on, hands to hold and hearts to be open. We need warm hugs and holy kisses. We need more Bible thinking and less Bible thumping.
We demand authenticity because in a time when Creature is worshiped more than Creator, pastoral pedestals must be broken down. We demand accountability for the hypocrisies that have ravaged pulpits and sanctuaries.
We are your prodigal children whom you've pushed aside in your war against culture; we are the unintended casualties. We've been sold out at the cost of radical exclusivity as opposed to unconditional inclusiveness.
We want you to know that we are standing at foot of the cross, begging for room, if only to catch a drop of grace. We are hurt, broken and angry. We are His children, crucified at the hands of an angry crowd. We are prodigals. Stand at the gate, and welcome us with open arms.
I want people to know that many of us who leave the church do so not because they want to give up on God, because we aren't being listened to. We have hard-pressing questions that deserve more than the repetitive response of "just pray about it." We're tired of hearing, "God won't give you more than you can handle," because let's be honest, there ARE things that we as humans simply cannot handle. We don't want to be added to prayer chains or be chastised for not having enough faith. We don't want another youth event with loud music and glorified preachers. We don't want casseroles and cookies when our loved ones pass away.
We need shoulders to cry on, hands to hold and hearts to be open. We need warm hugs and holy kisses. We need more Bible thinking and less Bible thumping.
We demand authenticity because in a time when Creature is worshiped more than Creator, pastoral pedestals must be broken down. We demand accountability for the hypocrisies that have ravaged pulpits and sanctuaries.
We are your prodigal children whom you've pushed aside in your war against culture; we are the unintended casualties. We've been sold out at the cost of radical exclusivity as opposed to unconditional inclusiveness.
We want you to know that we are standing at foot of the cross, begging for room, if only to catch a drop of grace. We are hurt, broken and angry. We are His children, crucified at the hands of an angry crowd. We are prodigals. Stand at the gate, and welcome us with open arms.
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