Weekly Words

Why I Don’t Like Church

Like myself, my son has very sensitive skin. Lately, because of a recent skin irritation he has shown after bathing, we have had to limit his soap to either Johnson’s Baby Wash or Aveeno body wash. As I was inquiring about the details of this phenomenon, I wanted to know what it was about the cleaning agent in soap that bothered my baby’s skin. I was told that it wasn’t the actual cleaning ingredients rather it was all the additives of color and scents that provoked his allergy. It dawned on me today as I was washing towels with unscented Tide Free, that Bryce’s condition was analogous to my relationship with church.

I have had to consider what it was about church that I didn’t like because I am currently in a preaching series entitled, “Why I Go to Church.” Now, I know it may sound inauthentic, oxymoronic, and paradoxical for a Pastor to say he doesn’t like church, but anyone who knows me well knows this to be true. Oh, I Love Jesus, but I don’t like church! If I could get Jesus straight with no chaser I would be fine. However, all the additives in the form of antics, shenanigans, and poorly constructed theologies that color and scent church can be simply repulsive. It bothers me that so many churches big and small have become shrines to wanna-be celebrity preachers who have ecclesiastical entourages, gospel groupies, and faith flunkies. All of a sudden it is beneath men and women to carry their own Bibles, wipe their own sweat, and pour their own water. It hurts me that preachers take the time that can be used to help connect human spirits to a Divine Spirit and use it to convince people to provide luxuries for themselves and their families. It is sad when in many sanctuaries around the country more effort and energy is given toward the prosperity of the Pastor than the poverty of the community. It is troubling when parishioners are apathetic about the progress of their church and the uplift of their community and are ready to fight over where they want to sit, the color of the carpet, the options on the menu, or the presence or lack thereof of choir robes. Just like those additives that irritate Bryce’s skin, church can sometimes make my skin crawl.

To be fair, to say that I don’t like church at all would definitely be a misrepresentation and an overgeneralization. So in some sense to discuss “why I don’t like church,” is to be provocative. However, I am not still a part of church because I necessarily like it. I am here because I believe in it! I believe in the possibilities and the potential of a people who want God to be closer and their world to be better. I believe in God and I believe in Love. Additionally, there are still millions of people who are church goers and church members. I recognize, as a result, I probably do less good if I walk away from it. Since God has a sense of humor I believe God nudged Ayana (that is my made up angel) and said with a grin, “You know, since BaSean doesn’t like church, I think I am going to convince him to start one.” There you have it! I don’t like church, but I Pastor one. Sooo, if you don’t like church, but you believe in Love, I’ll see you on Sunday.

Humbly in Christ’s Love,
Pastor B.A. Jackson