I know I’m a weirdo. So it’s not too out of the ordinary to feel weird. Weird, nerd, over thinker, cry baby.. Hahaha. Yes to all of the above!

And I know that when I was a Christian, I would have accepted someone like me.. but I would have felt bad about it; or felt “convicted”, in a Christian sense, for being friends with someone like me. I would have only loved me out of a hope that one day my Christ-ness would open their heart to allowing a fundamental change of what they believe, who they are, and how they express what they believe… And I don’t think I really like that idea too much. It doesn’t sound much like love as I am learning it to be- fundamentally unconditional. To love someone is to accept them, and desire to venture through life as you mutually learn through your experiences.. Not to force them, but be patient with them. Be kind. Not be rude. Not be there with them only to seek my own outcomes. But to be there to protect, and encourage. Like, no labels, but still friends kinda thing.. does that make sense?

Wow, your a pastor and you’re addicted to porn? Thanks for being transparent. 90%+ of the men and more women than you think are addicted to it as well. Let’s take up that mantle as a church and break the generational curse from our families.

Married pastor who struggles with homosexuality? Yeah, that’s a huge issue in todays church especially with as many single parent homes there are. Let’s dig deeper into what homosexuality is, why it exists and what we can do to help those who struggle with same sex attraction. (Yeah this is going to be way controversial. But I would agree with Carl Lentz, “The Gospel in the foundation and we have conversations about everything else.” The church needs to start having conversations about homosexuality)

Obviously these are “low hanging fruit” issues but they are also the most prevalent.

Also, I am not trying to “pick on” Pastors. But I do believe that the church leaders need to do just that, LEAD THE CHURCH. Transparency, admitting that you are human and that you sin too, is the best way to do so.

GREAT POST, by the way.

Of the suggestions you made, I think my favorite was “Less pointing out the sins of others, more confessing our sins to each other.” It’s a really great way to build connection with people. I think there’s something about sharing our mistakes that makes it a little easier to give Grace to other people when they make mistakes.

Here’s my contribution:

Less “Jesus fluff”, More “Jesus
Gruff”

Less “fruity”, More “Fruit of the Spirit-y”

Less “magical thinking”, More “soul searching”

Less “criticism of people who think differently than us”, More “Honesty in learning to have Christ’s Mind”

Less “searching for God’s Power”, More “discovering God’s Presence within”

And you’re weird.