UNashamed

Hi, Ena. I am very sorry about your family member. Unfortunately, what happened to her seems to be the growing norm within the church. To me, there seems to be a lot of “talk” about why young adults leave the church, but very little actual “action” to fix the reasons why they are leaving… especially the hypocrisy and the indifference attitude.

Recently, I have become more aware of the indifference that seems to be sweeping the church at the local level. We should be encouraging one another, building each other up, promoting each other’s endeavors, and comforting each other in our time of need. Instead, the local churches are becoming more and more self-centered, ignoring the needs of the members, visitors, and community. When visitors are not made welcome, when young adults are not given the opportunity to participate, when the church finds it an inconvenience to help others… it is no surprise people are leaving.

That is why action is so important. We need to stop talking and actually do something. Take action. Even just one person can start the change that is needed. That is why I try hard to make people feel welcome and wanted. I don’t always succeed, but I hold to Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” I’m stubborn enough that I refuse to give up trying to change the indifference to compassion… even if it is just one person at a time. As Roman 8:31 says: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” We should definitely keep the church in our prayers, but while praying, we should also be active in pursuing change.

That’s my opinion, at least. May God bless and keep you!
~Jacquelyn

Hello, David! Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. I am terribly sorry that such a thing happened to you, your family, and your church family. Thank the Lord, the individual was not able to swindle even more people.

If I may be so bold: you and I seem to have similar personalities. We are the type that will not let a few bad apples sour our opinion on the entire church. When we are wronged or hurt, we may vent, but we ultimately take it as a learning experience; it makes us stronger, wiser, and, at least for me, more compassionate towards others. Unfortunately, some people are more sensitive, and it is not as easy for them to brush off bad experiences. Though they try hard to overcome their anger, hurt, fear, or depression, they cannot do it on their own. It is a good thing that we have the Creator of the universe, the Lord Almighty, to be our comfort and strength! So matter what our individual personalities or situation, we can fully rely on Him. My two favorite Scriptures passages are Philippians 4:13 and Jeremiah 29:11-13, and both have helped me through trying times.

God bless!
~Jacquelyn

Erwin, you make some excellent points. Last Sabbath, a few of us actually discussed this very topic after a fellowship meal at a friend’s house. Not everyone who may claim an earthly membership in this institution will ultimately be in Heaven, and it is equally true that there will be many outside this church who will be. I have been an Adventist since September 2002, and what drew me here was my love for Christ and a deeper understanding of His Word… not the church nor the people. Our church is in no way a perfect church, and as people, we are poor, broken, blind, and filled with faults. I have witnessed and even been the recipient of the very things that cause many, youth and non-youth, to leave our church, but I have never even thought about leaving. (I may choose not to attend a specific local congregation, but leaving the worldwide church never crossed my mind.) Why? Because my allegiance is with my Lord and Him alone, and through the study of His Word, I believe that the message and doctrines of this church is Biblical. Sure, this church is broken and filled with faults. We make mistakes, we allow ourselves to be side-tracked, we are often hypocrites, and many among us may be faking the whole thing. Like you said, “there are two types of people inside the church: One group is a true believers of God, the other is just simply acting.” I believe that the true believers of God will humble ourselves to our Lord and allow His Light and Love to be reflected through our words, actions, deeds, attitudes, behavior, and life. In Matthew 5:16, Christ said: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” And He also said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32) If we reflect Christ in our lives, what a testimony we would be for Christ to not only our Laodicean brothers and sister within the church but also our family, friends, and communities outside the church.