253.7 / 3.9 / 11.3 (weight today / loss since last post / total loss)

I read a number of blogs (not too many). One that I read pretty religiously is Perry Noble's. In this post from the weekend he made an interesting statement. He wrote, "If a churches goal is to keep the Christian happy ... then God probably isn't happy!" What a line!

I got to thinking - what does a church do to make Christians happy that may not be in line with God's plan?

They focus on a style that appeals to the "churched" not the lost, or even one that honors God. (This might be music, preaching, building use, staff selection, etc.)

They have an inward look instead of an outward viewpoint. They may not say it but - but they are driven by what "we need", not by what it takes to reach the lost, and be the hands and feet of Jesus to a suffering community and world.

They avoid the real tough "life issues" in preaching and teaching, so they can focus on theology (not that solid theology is not important). The result is overstuffed, inactive, Biblically literate spiritual couch potatoes.

They spend a lot of time and energy trying to make unhappy sheep comfortable. Their leaders and pastors must spend tons of time "putting out fires" and pampering members. Someone is going to have to explain to me someday why we need to invite people to their own church!

Churches that are trying to make Christians happy are driven by popular opinion so there is no need to rely on the Spirit. But Churches trying to please God are constantly praying and seeking God's direction because they know that "their ways are not God's ways" automatically.

OK - this is not an exhaustive list - but it's a start...

Oh, and one other thing - I AM SO GLAD TO BE A PART OF A CHURCH THAT IS NOT LIKE THIS! May the Lord keep us focusing on Him and not US!