“It’s all your fault!” I have heard these are words in many contexts. Students who had failed to turn in an assignment. Employees who received discipline for missing a work shift. Leaders who’s expectations were not met on a project. My kids when they could not do as they desired. And I have even uttered these words myself (just ask my parents). Looking for someone to blame our failure on is an innate human response.
There are lots of things we can blame others for and some are legitimate. However, there are far more instances where we seek to blame others where they are not at fault. If I failed to turn an assignment in, that’s on me. If I fail to show up to work that I had been scheduled for, that’s on me. If my team does not meet my expectations, it’s possible I did not clearly communicate those expectations; if so, that’s on me. This fault finding, blame shifting reaction in us all, often continues in our view of the church.
The church can help you grow, but it’s not responsible for your spiritual growth. You are.
Carey Nieuwhof
As a pastor, there are many people who I interact with and have real issues with the church. I wish I could say they were all “their issues”, but many have legitimate concerns with the church at large. That is a different post altogether. However, there are many people whom I have dialogued with that I can’t help walking away thinking they are blaming the church for something they need to take responsibility for. This is why I appreciate Carey Nieuwhof’s “5 Things People Blame the Church For…But Shouldn’t”.
Not only does Carey share some things we shouldn’t blame the church for, but he gives a challenge as well. I really appreciate and need that challenge some days. How about you? What did you think of these 5 things? Agree? Disagree? Why? Leave it in the comments. As always be with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s day.
Preacher on the Run... 
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