Well, I spent last night almost in tears reading some of the hateful words written about GCC and its ministry. I found this website through a friend's blog and after reading it for over a half-an-hour, I came to the realization that there is definitely a battle going on. And it's happening right under our noses.
I have been attending GCC for 8 months, and in that short amount of time my spiritual life has grown by leaps and bounds. I have been warmly welcomed into a small group, been to Core Class 101 (enrolled in 201), listened to sermons that have stirred my heart in ways I never thought, and participated in various church ministries such as Oasis and Sun City Kids.
I still find it hard to believe that there are people, Christian brothers and sisters, who despise GCC. Why? I'm not quite sure. But it's a scary thing to read their hateful words. I actually found myself angry at them. I wanted to give them a piece of my mind. I had to stop, breath deeply, and forgive them, confessing that it was wrong to think such ways (I actually had to say Galatians 5:22-23 and Eph 6:12 a few times). I had to remind myself that our battle is not against our fellow man, but against the dark rulers of this world.
I had considered not including the website in this posting, because I was unsure of its effects to those who read it. But after I finished reading it for myself, I realized that it is important to understand that we must be vigilant and aware that the Evil One is out to destroy the ministry of GCC. If you haven't begun praying for our church leadership, now is the time to start. As my friend Dr. Hovind says, "if you don't want to shoot, you can at least carry bullets".
THE ANTI-GCC SITE
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
~Ephesians 6:12
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
~Galatians 5:22-23
3 comments:
I have to admit when I first saw this site I was full of anger at the people who wrote it...my anger was not helping the cause of Christ (man do I hate when that happens) but that website inadvertently made my faith stronger...ironic huh...
I saw that site a few months ago as a link from someone else’s blog (perhaps the same person as you) It really made me sad. Christians have enough battles to fight in yet they continue through the ages in being one of the only "armies" that seems to find pleasure in shooting and injuring or killing its very own. Where is the love? Where is the compassion? Sure, I think it's fair to examine something (an organization, a church, really anything out there in the world)-- poke it, prod it, put it through the scripture "filter" and see if it holds up-- because you have to be discerning... and there are going to be things out there that appear to be truth, but once further examined are not. Wolves hiding in sheep’s clothing. Even some churches who claim to be Christ following are not. And you can’t just slide through life and be an apathetic by-stander. You must constantly be engaged in this journey through life and continue to poke, prod and examine. Even things you have been involved in for a long time… like going to a certain church… after awhile that becomes routine, and you forget to question, think, and engage. A scary place to be—and I unfortunately find myself there often (especially being a pastor’s kid)
That being said though, what this certain site is doing is tearing down—shooting it’s own—and not even in a constructive way. They may not agree with how GCC presents the gospel to the lost—music-wise, drama-wise, even humor-wise… but they seem to miss the fact that the gospel is getting out and getting out to people who might never have even set foot in a church were it not for GCC and it’s unique way of engaging people. Sure, even I may sometimes think the weekend services are a bit too “commercial” for my personal tastes sometimes—and I miss the deep worship in singing my heart out (yay for New Community!)—but I don’t think I have ever been to a service where I didn’t see JesusSOMEWHERE. And really, take away all the lights, movies, music, sounds… and what it comes down to is Him. Getting people closer to Him. Helping people engage in Him. Bringing Him glory through all we have—arts, music, words, time.. the list goes on and on.
I think there will always be people who dislike GCC—it’s big, it’s relevant, it’s different—but Jesus was different, so I don’t think that is such a bad thing at all.
Ok. This comment is getting FOREVER long. Sorry. I just get really fired up about all this. It’s like when someone picks on your kid sister and you want to stand up and smack them silly. Instead you are commanded to love the person that hurts you. It still doesn’t make it easy though. The Church (big C) is my family.. and I love it—despite all of it’s problems. *sigh It’s times like these when I can’t WAIT to be in heaven, were we all get a long and can glorify our creator together not divided.
*end rant* :-)
Have a good day- glad I could help ya with your blog
I read that site a few months ago...I had the same kind of reaction you did at first I was so sad that and upset that people could say those kinds of things. BUT like the verse says the battle isnt against people per se but against Satan...its important to remember that ...thanks for the verse!
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