Letter to an Average Disgruntled Church Member

Dear Disgruntled:

I noticed that coming to church has become something of a dying habit for you (well, to call it a habit might be stretching it a bit; habits do require some sort of consistency). Yes, from what I’ve heard, you’ve become disheartened and disillusioned with the whole church “thing.”

Is that true? If it is, my heart breaks for you. Believe me, there’s not a single heartbreak or disappointment I haven’t already endured. However, there is something you can do to help turn things around.

What you need to do is develop a Christ-like love for your brothers and sisters, then even the worst of disappointments will have a hard time turning your heart cold. “Because He first loved me…” is something you may find yourself repeating over and over, but loving others – because He first loved you – will turn those tears of disappointment into healing streams of grace.

Then, if you’ll just keep your worship more vertically oriented and less horizontally irritated, there’ll be a lot less things to complain about.

God be with you,

An average Pastor without a jet