This is Not a Costume Party.

[Calminaion]

Apparently someone didn't agree with me using these two songs to illustrate my point, despite the fact that I credited the artists with their own work and didn't attempt to plaigarize. So I have to rewrite my point using their material as only 20% of my post (which I'm still foggy on how that works). So for those whose toes I stepped on, thank you for the patronizing e-mails and I hope this fixes the problem.

My point:
Church is not a costume party. It's not a place for us to feel comfortable in our place in the world. Instead, it's a place to unleash all the pain and problems we have. I'm sick of Christians putting on a fake smile to seem "okay" to the rest of the world, just because they're afraid they won't be accepted.

I think there would be a great deal less hypocrisy if we were real with each other.

[JulySheMustFly]

Church is not about being fake. It is in church I should be able to freely admit my problems and receive grace, mercy, and truth in a loving spirit.

I agree completely. Our small group was discussing this last night. It is part of why we have all chosen the church group that we attend. We discourage the false presentation and encourage letting us see you for who you are.

[ShockDingo]

I agree also, I mean if you hide who you are that will just make problems down the road, plus you won't be able to fully revel in the good of the church if you're spending most of your time holding in something or trying to maintain a false image; you may just focus more on maintaining the "costume" heh, sorry for my rambling, I was feeling a little chatty today.

[rkymtnjesusfreak]

These are all great points. We have recently had a split in our church and this was part of the problem. Seems some people think that the grace and mercy is meant only for them once they are saved. After they are saved, they seem to wall themselves up in their church building and put forth a perfect, no problems sort of image. But, the way I see it, is we are all STILL broken people who are THANKFULLY covered by the blood that has saved us. It doesn't mean everything will be perfect. And shouldn't we be on FIRE to go and tell others about it that don't already know? Those are 2 of my very FAVORITE songs!

[Eusebios]

The Church should in fact be as a hospital, there to take the sin sick and suffering and move them towards wholeness. This does involve being real with each other. Good points all.