What Is Real Church | Mom Unplugged

Where Is The Church I Want To Go To

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I have a confession: I do not attend church and have not been a member of a church since 2002. Before that I had been a faithful church member for 15 years. I was a coordinator, teacher, retreat facilitator, devotional contributor, and a part of the choir in my former church. What changed for me was getting married and moving to Chicago where I saw church in a whole new light.

This new light shed so many issues on the modern church as we know it and it turned me off. “Where is God in the midst of all the mess”, was often my thought.

I recently read a book by Larry Crabb appropriately titled, Real Church that helped me to see that I was not alone in my thoughts. Mr. Crabb discusses the current status of the church and why he feels that there is reason for a shift to real church. The fact that so many are turning from the church because what they hear is not what they get. Crabb shows us why.

While I may not have agreed with every point the book brings up and felt that at times, Real Church, did not offer remedies to the problems the church faces. However I do agree that the church has along way to go in order to be the church that God has called it to be. The means it will have to remove man made doctrine, leave judgment where it belongs and exemplify the TRUE character of Christ at all times.

If you have been wondering what church should really look like and why so many churches are missing the mark, you will get some insight by reading this confrontational book.

4 Comments »

Jen said:

I’m in for real church!!

The last two churches my family visited (for about two months each) focused PRETTY MUCH TOTALLY on how everyone is poor pathetic and desperate and God can give you money if you give the church money (I’m oversimplifying here, but I’m sure you’ve heard that one before, I think we all have).

I mean, is it a requirement for everyone to be depressed and desperate to be at church? Because every sermon I hear is all about how you can’t help yourself, only God can help you (but what about “God help those that help themselves?”)

Just…can’t there be a church where happy people are? Where life doesn’t have to SUCK before you start digging on God and loving your community? The second church we were told it was not to be social or to make friends we were there, it was to glorify God ONLY. It was *so* confusing.

# 10 September 2009 at 6:14 pm

Jen said:

I meant to say God helps those that help themselves. And I’m okay with people having troubles, but whole sermons focused on the lack in my life is just not something I can roll with. I’ve already been blessed again and again and again, where can I shout for joy about that instead of constantly focusing on what’s not good enough?

# 10 September 2009 at 6:15 pm

LaTara (author) said:

I love what you have to say Jenny and like you I am tired of churches that try to get all your money, tell you what’s wrong, and never offer solutions or ministries that fit your need. I believe that churches should be communities where there are services offered like drug rehabilitation, sexual abuse counseling, race relations, and other taboo subjects they avoid.

I am looking for something more and I know that God will provide

# 10 September 2009 at 6:52 pm

Sharon said:

Latara you always generate such good discussion with your posts. I was as you know born and raised in the Catholic church and while I know the Catholic church has generated a lot of controversy for the wrong reasons, there is so much GOOD about our faith that is rarely focused on in any public way. Jen raises some good points about the approach and expectations of church…

My parish and many like it focus on services that bring to light positive things in the community and responsibilities that we have as people of God. I can’t recall being at any Parish where we focused on the kinds of things God could do for us. The focus always seems to be outward. We’re called to do things by God, not the other way around.

I agree with Jen in that I have a problem with Church being a perceived as *only* a place where we go to focus on what we lack in our lives. When I go to church I’m reminded to give thanks for all the good things in my life and I’m not talking about anything monetary; to share in the Eucharist which is our opportunity to acknowledge what was given up for us a looong time ago and to take that weekly experience as a reminder of what we’re asked to do as good fathers, daughters, neighbors, and ultimately stewards of this earth.

I’m quite sure other faiths have a similar focus but I thought I’d share my experience.

# 19 September 2009 at 12:01 pm