Slow to Judge

Oh, aren’t we quick to judge the church that sings a new version of our favorite hymn, or requires their pastor to wear robes or sports a choir?

Most of these non-traditional worship sites/people are evangelical and non-denominational. They love Christ just like we do, but they purposefully reach out to those with a different lifestyle. They have no dress code and they might even drink coffee during the service.

The traditional church sometimes frowns on this sort of thing but if their goal is Jesus, and our goal is Jesus, aren’t we on the same team?

Think about cowboy churches and ministry out of the back of a tractor-trailer. Or worshippers meeting in a converted gymnasium. What about Elvis churches or Duck Dynasty worship?

John said to Him, Teacher, we saw a man who does not follow along with us driving out demons in Your name, and we forbade him to do it because he is not one of our band of disciples.  

 But Jesus said, do not restrain or hinder or forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will soon afterward be able to speak evil of Me.

 For he who is not against us is for us.  (Mark 9:38-40)

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)

Let us be gracious to those who worship a little differently than us but have the same goal. Jesus.