I think Kirk's type of cynical monetization and performance of Christianity is also responsible for many people leaving churches, as much as they may want to try to claim credit for inspiring religious revival.
The hypocrisy of what Kirk told followers forces a crisis of faith on people of conscience who see other church goers following false teaching. Especially when church leaders follow that false teaching.
Many people have a strong enough faith and moral compass that they'll break from the church, rather than follow as others try to lead them astray. But it means that more people leave the church.
This. Absolutely this. That crisis of faith is exactly what I'm going through right now, and it's because I look around me at the people in church and listen to the words they speak about other people and then the verses they read to each other and I cannot reconcile them. I cannot. I don't want to go to church anymore. I do not want to be a part of it. I cannot find people will to engage on Christ alone and not *also* politics. It's a place of such weariness, resentment, anger, and despair and I honestly hate feeling it.
My family increasing feel like strangers, including my husband. I am told I care too much about little things and have allowed "worldly lies" to color my picture of faith. I do not want their god, their faith, or their religion. And yet, I am convinced that we were created, that God is real, but I'm afraid to search for Him in the faith community most immediately around me, because I don't want to meet Him if He is anything like His followers.
You are in a horrible position and my heart breaks for you. I have only heard these stories from people who have left everything, including their families. Reading David French and Tim Alberta might help.
My odd little semi-urban church, as dysfunctional organizationally as it is in some ways, has been my haven and main-stay. These folks love the Lord and each other (most of the time).
I think Kirk's type of cynical monetization and performance of Christianity is also responsible for many people leaving churches, as much as they may want to try to claim credit for inspiring religious revival.
The hypocrisy of what Kirk told followers forces a crisis of faith on people of conscience who see other church goers following false teaching. Especially when church leaders follow that false teaching.
Many people have a strong enough faith and moral compass that they'll break from the church, rather than follow as others try to lead them astray. But it means that more people leave the church.
This. Absolutely this. That crisis of faith is exactly what I'm going through right now, and it's because I look around me at the people in church and listen to the words they speak about other people and then the verses they read to each other and I cannot reconcile them. I cannot. I don't want to go to church anymore. I do not want to be a part of it. I cannot find people will to engage on Christ alone and not *also* politics. It's a place of such weariness, resentment, anger, and despair and I honestly hate feeling it.
My family increasing feel like strangers, including my husband. I am told I care too much about little things and have allowed "worldly lies" to color my picture of faith. I do not want their god, their faith, or their religion. And yet, I am convinced that we were created, that God is real, but I'm afraid to search for Him in the faith community most immediately around me, because I don't want to meet Him if He is anything like His followers.
You are in a horrible position and my heart breaks for you. I have only heard these stories from people who have left everything, including their families. Reading David French and Tim Alberta might help.
My odd little semi-urban church, as dysfunctional organizationally as it is in some ways, has been my haven and main-stay. These folks love the Lord and each other (most of the time).