Notes from Vox: Why the Church Feels Unloving

Rethinking Out Witness, Battles, and Belonging (Why We’re Leaving the Church Pt 2)

Mike Erre / Andy Lara / Izzi Ray Link to the Episode

They discuss this article, “Dear Church, Here’s Why People Are Really Leaving You.”

Here’s some of what Mike, Andy, and Izzi talked about in this episode:

If you only love those who are like you, what credit is that to you?

So then why do Christians only love people with the same political views, the same family values, sexuality, income, etc.

Which does Jesus make important, being doctrinally right or loving your neighbor as yourself? Church people say come as you are, but don’t mean it.

The Christianity that I grew up with incorrectly divided saving souls from structural unfairness.

“Christ does his best work not from a seat of cultural power but from the margins.” Why do Christians insist on being in power to save America?

Loving people as they are and not in order to change them or evangelize gives Christians the credit to do the very thing they hope to do.

I was a little surprised at a few of the jokes that Mike made at Izzi’s expense. I don’t think he would do that today. She seemed to take them in good enough humor and I have to take what he said in light of both how she seemed to take it and the hours of other conversation that I’ve listened to.

I’ve made jokes that I am ashamed of, much worse than this.

My hope is that I can love people better as they are, the way that Jesus loved them, not as a project, especially those who are different from me in way that make me uncomfortable and people who I am especially close to, it’s easier to love people who don’t require quite as much, who are a little further.