Me, Me, Me.......

In the Christian world there are several things that can harm the Church. I personally think that these can be categorized as diseases due to the severity. The first thing we battle is complacency. Complacency defined is, "a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc." Complacency is a condition where many of today's Churches find themselves. We like doing what we do, but we couldn't tell you why we do what we do. We have our assigned seats and don't attempt to reach out to others. We stay in our circles where things are safe and comfy. We don't stretch our faith, because we don't allow ourselves to be put into situations where we will have to lean on God. We don't like to be challenged and pushed to do more, because that requires effort and sacrifice. We can't see past ourselves. This brings me to the second disease that haunts the Church. Narcissism. Narcissism is a condition in which we love ourselves more than anything else. If you were to look this word up you would also find the word vain. The word Narcissism comes from Greek Mythology where a young man by the name of Narcissus was told to be so in love with himself that he couldn't find a partner that met his standards. (Yes partner, it's Greek Mythology so go with it.) Then one day he found himself in the forest hunting and became thirsty. When he knelt to drink from a deep pool and noticed his reflection in the water. It was his reflection that he fell in love with.



The Church in a since is like Narcissus. We are consumed with ourselves. Many Churches today can't see past their front doors and minister only to those who are within the body of believers. When we the Church takes this approach we become enamoured with our reflection and don't move on. When this happens the communities in which God placed these bodies of believers suffers.

We have got to remember that we don't own the Church. Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:18-19, "18And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it." Jesus clearly states that it is his Church and nothing, not even hell can compete with it. The Church is an unstoppable force, a force that is placed by God in places of need. We have got to let go and get uncomfortable for an amazing God.