The church has more than its share of critics these days.
Sometimes the criticism is unwarranted. People project their issues onto a congregation or onto the church, which is never healthy.
And, of course, the church will inevitably run into criticism.
What we’re doing is countercultural and will never be met with universal applause. The Gospel, even when powerfully shared, got John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, Jesus and the prophets killed, just to name a few. While it seems strange to say it, even love, when seen fully and magnificently, gets rejected.
But other times we absolutely deserve the criticism that comes our way.
Often these days, it seems, we’re not ridiculed or persecuted because we’re fighting nobly. Nope, sometimes we just shoot ourselves in the foot.
Here are five things that, in my view, would help the mission of the church become more authentic and more effective if we could just stop doing them.
Sometimes criticism aimed at the church is unfair. Other times, we shoot ourselves in the foot.
1. Being So Weird Online
Too many Christians come across online as:
• Toxic (Hello angry ranters, trolls and haters);
• Cynical (Yes, we know you’re disappointed with everyone all the time and no one gets it as right as you); or
• Syrupy (So sweet we can’t stand the taste and are not really sure you live in the real world)
Why do so many Christians think their social media feed is a place to show the world their weirdness?
It gives the impression that if you’re going to follow Jesus, you also need to become socially awkward.
I know people might say “no, I’m just being authentic.” But being authentic does not mean being weird. (I shared my personal criteria for what I share online in the name of authenticity in this post.)
Too many Christians come across as toxic or out-of-touch. Being authentic does not mean being weird.
I think a general rule is if you can’t imagine saying it in real life to a person, you shouldn’t say it online.
If you go to post something and you think, well, that would be braggy if I said that to someone, that’s a healthy check. It means you’d be bragging. So don’t post it.
Similarly, if you think, “Well, people would just walk out of the room if I said that in real life,” then maybe don’t say it.
If you’re always angry or cynical or all you do is complain online and you think, “Well, I wouldn’t want to be friends with someone like that in real life,” then that’s a clue that maybe you shouldn’t say it, or be like that.
And if you think, “Well, then I’ll have nothing to post,” then you’ve likely put your finger on a deeper issue.
Christians, let’s just stop being so weird online, OK?
