Agreed. We also need to stop being afraid of being seen as "critics". It would be rediculous to say that everyone in the institutional church is a crook and a murderer. I don't think the people are the real issue at all. People will always be people. But, the SYSTEM brings out some of the best and worst in people, as it plays on their ingorance, hopes, and fears. Why not cut out the bad stuff and transform it into something that can do what Jesus wanted us to do - spread the Good News that sets captives free - not imprison them within the walls of the institution?

I do believe that many people fear the word or the concept of postmodernism because it is the "unknown" and many are too afraid to step out and see how it does make alot of sense yet in all this we must remember that not all preachers and churches have the intent or the malice to do harm or "use" people for their gain. As an ex-preacher, or as a repentant, blacksliden preacher, I can say that over the years I did question many of the so-called "church" politics that I found myself involved in. What I did see was many things done for the sake of the "church" and for the sake of the "leaders" without question. Erroneous teachings in my life from past preachers and teachers did not help. The reality is that in today's churches you dare not stand up and question things as they are or else you are a heretic and are considered unloyal to the flock. But who are we really supposed to be loyal to? God and his Word. And if we fail Him then as Jose has said on here it is not the devil or some superstitious beings causing us to suffer but rather our own decisions and our own choices to live life against the very principles of God. For too long people have lived trying to live up to the standards of their "leaders" and "brethren" and failing miserably as did I. Now all I want is to look at the author of my life and begin to focus on what He and He alone wants for me. It will be a long road ahead but with Him I am not alone. I rather be in His hand of discipline than any man's any day. However, in all this I also know that the church has played a place for many people who are not able to go on their own and seek God's direction. Either because of lack of knowledge, immaturity, ignorance, lack of direction, etc. I do know that over the years as a pastor I cared little for the material well-being the church may have provided me. My heart always cared for the people, their needs and knowing that my life was impacting theirs in a positive way. As a minister, yes, I did question the institution of church many times in my heart yet seeing so many lives with little direction and little support elsewhere I felt that at least we were there to bring some relief, some comfort, some hope and if that is all we did then it was not in vain. Yet, why settle for less when God has more? It took time for me to see all this. Many years wondering, questioning, not daring to expose my fears about my faith yet knowing that there was a "problem" with the way churches were functioning. I give credit to those of you who dare to stand up and question what is and is not necessary in the church today. What is self-serving and what is really serving others and God. Do I agree 100% with all that is said...no...but for the most part I do. My biggest question is....if church is so effective the way it is...then why do so many of us...including leaders (with seminary studies) still fall short and fail so often? There is something terribly wrong with this picture. I do believe that it is time to question the effectiveness of the church today and begin to peel back the layers of hypocrisy and arrogance and break it down to its bare essentials..church as God intended and spoke clearly to us in His Word.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Joe. I was beginning to wonder if anyone had anything to say about this post. I don't think you realize how typical your response is. I have met thousands of pastors in my career and past ministry life, and can attest to the fact that it IS anarchy now.

Right now, more denominations and independent churches are rising up than ever before. Along with that, heresies and lies are becoming mainstream theology. Everything from the prosperity movement to name-it-and-claim-it has come to the Body THROUGH the very modern church you are telling me I am too unenlightened to understand.

Instead of being afraid of anarchy, why not be part of unplugging in order to confront those questions head on? Why stay in the worldy church instead of persuing what Jesus and His disciples taught? Aren't you just contributing to the existing anarchy of incorrect doctrine, Armani-clad preachers, and the quest for bigger temples?

I was wandering around the web and found this post. At first I thought it was a bit something that I couldn't put my finger on. Then the word came to me. It was abraisive. To seperate and marginalize modern thinkinkers who may have not been given a concise and clear representation of what being postmodern might be or might not be (I don't want to where the label as something being branded.) does nothing but elivate the perception of the one doing it. It is not a selfless reflection to be sure.

I am all for an unplugged church or unplugged life. Let's do it. But what happens when it becomes anarchy? What happens when a brother continues to sin and instigates sin amongst the group? Is there leadership that will confront it? Are there those that will stand up and say "what you are doing is not a benefit to you or anyone else, it damges this body and you?" I am saying it now.

I am sorry if this seems abraisive also. I do not mean it to be. My hope for you and my prayer for you is not that God give you more knowledge of what the world is doing and what others are thinking is this or that but that He draw you and woo you closer to His side and that you experience a greater truth and love that so ignites you to do His will that it utterly destorys all that you are and have been. I pray that the Creator of all things known and unknown touches you and those around you and heals you and then commissions you to change the world and foresake all and follow him, brother. It is a better kind of knowledge and way of living afterall.

[Post Unavailable]