The Controversy of a Pessimistic Churchgoer: Part 1

Yes, this is my first blog, and I know the conventional person would explain why he/she loves to write but I really think its all very boring. Here is my best shot: I love to write. Satisfied?

I hope that the title hooked you into this blog. I am a pessimistic churchgoer. But before I explain the reasons behind this, I must make this very clear, I believe community in Christ is ABSOLUTELY essential. Therefore, I affirm that the church is crucial. BUT I have some questions that I, myself, am wrestling thru. Maybe you, blog readers, can help me figure this out.

My first question needs some explanation. See, I live in Dallas, Texas. Otherwise known as mega-church capital of the world. I can literally drive a mile and see over five churches. This is the way it is in Dallas. Theoretically, is there anything wrong with this? I honestly do not know, but I would be inclined to say YES. Yes, there is something wrong with this. We have our Protestants, our Baptists, our Pentecostals, our Catholics, our Methodists, our Lutherans, and the list goes on and on.

Here is the million dollar question: Are so many choices beneficial for the everyday Christian desiring community?

Is it possible that the multiple choices actually divide the Christian community?

The everyday person asks a churchgoer: "What type of church do you go to?" The answer: "I go to a baptist church" or "I am a baptist"  For some reason that answer sickens me. Is that really the label we choose to describe ourselves as?

Sometimes I feel like we are all in our separate communities, doing our separate duties, avoiding the inevitable, that we our hiding from each other. In my opinion, it shows that we are in a time of complacency as Christians. We are okay with where we are at. I wonder, what would happen if we were desperate? If persecution rose to a whole new level? Could we get past our labels and unite as desperate Christians depending on Christ and each other?

In saying all this, it does not give man a reason to avoid the communities presented before him, even if they are flawed. We as christians, are called to share our lives with each other. Acts 4:32-33 gives peace to my soul in saying, "All the believers were in one heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions were their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully in them all." Notice the word believers. I hope we can soon be known as just believers.