I was reading this morning that Americans are walking away from their churches. Less people identify as Christian. Sadly the title Christian often illuminates images of cruelty and exclusivity in the minds of those who are seeking love and acceptance. How did this happen to the disciples of the Prince Of Peace? How did Christ born in a manger and lauded by the Wisemen and shepherds and the Messiah who the ‘Common people heard him gladly,’ become so consumed with vitriol and hate?

Jesus was the advocate of the unseen and the unheard and some would say…the great unwashed. The attraction of Jesus is his love for everyone. The banner of Christ is what he told the woman who was being stoned for adultery, ‘Woman where are thine accusers? Has no one condemned you?’ Of course, he asked this revealing question after he bent and wrote in the sand as he observed the stoning ritual and one by one the stoners left their self-righteous vocation. What did the son of the carpenter write? Apparently, something that so dissuaded the righteous mob from their perceived holy duty that they felt the need to just leave in the midst of their religious cause…

People are hurting already without joining a church that makes them hurt and who marginalizes them. Jesus fed five thousand not counting the woman and children and the attraction was his message of love and inclusivity.

I watched the Pride Church Service this past Sunday and was struck with the loving and excited and anticipatory feeling that came through the Iphone screen. The Church of The Good Shepherd was full and everyone was glad to be there! The did not seem to be concerned about devoting a portion of their Sunday to Church…

People who cared about me…drew me to Christianity. I had no money but they loved me anyway. In the sermons I did not hear about anyone to hate or separate myself from…I only heard about love and acceptance.

As a manager/administrator at Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale I always thought of the whole person who was my colleague. Many were going through divorce or marital separation. Many had serious physical and mental illnesses. Many felt that they had been kicked to the side of the road while the religious passed by on the other side. When you work with another human being they bring their entire self to the bargain. My axiom was what would Jesus do…

Could it be that the needy are evacuating their pews due to everything being alright and that there is no longer a need for God? I think that perhaps they are seeking God somewhere where they are accepted and loved and welcomed for who that they are…