15 Reasons Why I Left the Church - Reason Two

Rachel Held Evans - at age 27 she left the church - At age 30 she reflects on why she is still gone

2. I left the church because when we talked about sin, we mostly talked about sex. 

In a sexual saturated society - it is easy to become too focused on the one issue that seems to stare us in the face so often - SEX.  We have plenty of scriptures to back up that sexual immorality is a big deal... but it is definitely not the only issue the church needs to address.  I believe sometimes the issue is so private and individualistic in our churches (not our culture) that it is easy for us to point our everyone else's issues that appear to be so much worse than our own.  I think we are guilty of only talking about the bad things about sex and fail to talk about the good things about sex.  

This is not an issue that is going away anytime soon.  With the national average age of marriage rising into the late twenties, people in their sexual prime will have even more difficulties staying sexually pure.  Not saying it is not possible, just saying it is much different than in the Biblical days.  When the Bible was written there were many differences in the culture - young ladies were married in their teens.  Also remember that the only way a Jewish man could commit adultery in those days was to have sexual relationships with a married woman besides his wife.  So with men writing the rules for sexual immorality there were some loop holes. 

Often we are tempted to think that our exposure to sexual material has greatly increased through the years.  But if you do a little reading about the city of Corinth and their worship of the gods through celebrating the woman's body and sexual acts... we may not be so different after all.  

Probably our biggest issue in the world of sex is our treatment of homosexuality.  But I believe we will have to wait until Reason #15 for that discussion.  

Any suggestions of how the church can keep of Biblical view of sex and yet deal with a generation that believes we focus too much on the issue? 

15 Reasons Why I Left the Church - Reason One

Rachel Held Evans - Gives 15 reasons she left the church at age 27 -
Reason #1 I left the church because I’m better at planning Bible studies than baby showers...but they only wanted me to plan baby showers. 


To the older generations: We have to provide opportunities for leadership positions for young people in the church.  If we have a leadership position we need to take a young person under our wings and help them feel like they have a role and a spiritual impact on the church.  We can't wait until they have it all figured out. 
To the younger generations: You have to step up and lead or you will get bored.  If the Kingdom of God is not God using your gifts and talents to impact the church and the world you won't ever be satisfied with the church.  


The church has to get back to its spiritual roots. Too often we are about programs instead of creating a space for people to encounter the Living God.  Too often we trust in our own abilities and in the leadership models of the world to run the church.  Jesus Christ is the one and only head of the one true church.  We follow Jesus leadership when we follow the winds of the Spirit of God.  The youth of the our church will never be satisfied with church as normal, only church as empowered and controlled by the mysterious wind of the Holy Spirit.  We have to learn to hear the Spirit's voice and follow the Spirit's lead.  We have to live in expectation the the most powerful source known to man lives within us and longs to transform our lives, our communities and the world.  


What do you think?  How can we further address this issue as a church today? 

Confession Time

I had a difficult time preaching last Sunday.  My heart was broken for a certain unspoken prayer request for a friend.  It was on my list of things I prayed about during the 21 day fast.  I was hoping and believing things would turn around.  Hoping and believing that God was going to move like I wanted Him to move.  But the situation has not changed and my heart is hurting because a friend is hurting.

I was rather frustrated and the sermon from Mark 5 - just touching the tassel of Jesus robe and there is healing.  This seemed so harsh to me.  Why do some receive healing and some remain to suffer?  Why does it seem when some people reach out to God they seem to receive nothing?  In my frustration of the situation I turned my frustration to God.

And God in His great compassion and patience with me - doesn't strike me down! "like I probably deserve for being so stubborn and accusing God of such indifference "  Instead He sternly asks me, "Where were you when I formed the world?"  "Do you really trust me that I am at work even when it looks like I am not?"  That was all he needed to say, as I cried out for grace for my stubborn and untrustworthy heart.  I am so grateful for a God who is willing to discipline me because He loves me.

Pray for me as I pray for you to learn obedience to the will of the Father and to trust Him with all our hearts.