The Man-made Church

The True State of Brotherhood

Brotherhood is a true act of looking out for each. Even in times of correction, it should be one’s duty to correct the other in love, so that person can make an effort to rightfully restore self to be pleasing to His works in every aspect.

Unfortunately, the essence of brotherhood has been water down with the acts of favoritism, family and sometimes money!

The fellowship lines are built on political connections and not spiritual ties. Too often, some members of a congregation may find themselves out of fellowship during a time of need. When mental support is not there because of leadership members not properly trained. Even some appointed members not even mentally stable are tasked to counsel others. Has the leadership failed? Maybe so due to the improper vetting, or merely just turning their heads to the so called trained individual’s personal sin that they are constantly living.

I knew of a congregation where the woman, knowingly cheated on her husband, had her “lover” attend the same congregation while she was married, divorced her husband and married her “lover”. Then the leaders of the congregation appointed this same woman to be a part of the mental health team at the congregation, while not saying anything about her past infidelity. Did her career accomplishments as a psychiatric nurse outshine her sin? Is she related to a member of the leadership? Did she make a large financial donation? No one will ever know! Unfortunately, too much of this goes on with various congregations throughout the nation. Is this a connection other than spiritual, or is this a lack of good leadership? Could be a combination of both, needless to say, the true people of the congregation suffers the most!

This leaves an important question! Where is the authenticity in the fellowship? How is the leadership viewed when attempting to make spiritual connections to the members with efforts to have the members grow? Importantly, how can the leadership win those who are “lost” to a better way? Could this be one of the reasons why people don’t attend church service? Is it better to keep away from those who pretend to be righteous by taking a better chance on living their lives outside the congregation and hanging on a personal relationship?

The built up hope

Our hope is built on nothing less, why did that leader put me in this difficult mess? Often most members find themselves asking similar questions because of false hope the leadership has place in their heads. The double-talk from the pulpit with not being at fault with your brother and sister, but yet no solution or guidance to help with situational problems! Pray and stay in a marriage is not always the solution. Sometimes that brother or sister needs to be reminded that abuse in any form is not safe. Yes divorce is not pleasing to Him, but neither is abuse of His people. Congregations need to send a message that this kind of behavior cannot be tolerated, and necessary steps should be put in place to aid in the separation of someone who is being abused. There is no other solution about it. If the other person cannot keep there hands off their spouse, continues to cheat on their spouse; then a change has to be made! Too many leaders shy away and run away from divorce, showing the abused member no support at all. Stay and pray has never been the solution and never will be. Some of these leaders should put their foot down and speak out toward individuals not doing right by His people. Even if the contribution account gets a little low from it, leadership needs to take a stand because they are in charge of spiritual souls.

We are loosing the war in the trenches! To gain a favor of one because of his or her background, could cause the loss of a precious soul, which could be damaging to many down the line when it matters the most.

The leadership is very essential to the congregation and its spiritual needs! Often times the spiritual need is mistakenly replaced for a physical band aid. There are too many times where the leader of a congregation has gone too far, and the mental need is sometimes pacified with a physical pleasure.

It feels so good to do what is not right

Leadership often displays an image of power. Unfortunately, both men and women can become addicted to power. That power can be overwhelming and could cause a great deal and opportunity for sin to come in the door.

I once knew a preacher that had a bed in his office. Yes, that’s right! A bed in his office. No one would ever speculate what that bed was for, but that same preacher was found to be socially intangled with some of the members. Yes the congregation released him from his duties and they suffered mentally from the fornication events with the members.

When it’s all said and done! The four walls is nothing more than a man-maid church! An institution made with members with connections and privileges based on social status and career achievements. This is far from a church with leaders overseeing a flock of members needing true spiritual guidance.

The message from the pulpit has to be consistent with the discipline to the congregation. If the message is different, then souls will slowly slip away and there will be members with nothing more than perfect attendance.

There is more than sexual fornication. Members seek marriage with the creator. Anytime someone within the church’s authority conducts themselves outside that authority, commits fornication! Both leaders and members need to be mindful of the steps they take and stay within the structure of spiritual marriage!

In the end, we will all have to tell a story! Where will the story land us for the final destination?