Critisms v. Christianity

I'm going to take a few minutes to vent my raw thoughts on some things I've been reading lately. Forgive me if they'[re incoherant or disagreeable (I expect they might be disagreed with). Here's what I've been noticing in blogs and conversations from people in the gen-x and whatever generation I am in: We're bored with church so we feel the need to critisize it.

I've heard a lot of cynical remarks about the American church and how materialistic, self-centered, unfocused, etc it is. These arguments range from blaming "relevance" and "emergent" to embracing the postmodern mindset and everything in between. I especially get annoyed when I hear people picking at the American church in general... as if it can be distinguished as worse than the African churches that preach the prosperity gospel, or the sparse European churches filled with folks who go out of obligation. Or Soviet churches that still apply communistic principles (corruption) to the way their church operates. Or the Asian churches that are so isolated that the pastors have to come up with their own theology which may or may not be heretical. Sheesh. What are you complaining abbout? At least in America you can find another church... or turn on the radio and listen to a credible preacher.

While it's necessary to evaluate our standing and operations, I'm not certain critisizing it will do much to help. And comparing it to other countries? That's the stupidest thing I've heard. I get sooooo angry when I read or listen to people whining about how pathetic the American church is when nearly every other country in the world is filled with pagan religions, persecution, political corruption, and misguided docterine.

Don't sit around analyzing society and how it's affecting the Church and whining about how no one understands. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Start serving Jesus. I think that when we stop thinking about everything that's wrong and trying to fix it in our philisophical discussions, and start worshipping Christ and working out His principles, there is a shift in perspective that would do everyone good. But maybe I'm naieve. I do have a really good church. And I did do the whole Christian college thing, where everyone is so satisfied and comfortable with their faith that they actually become dissatisfied (I know it's paradoxal, but it's true). And I'm probably pretty conservative... But people really should try visiting a Russian or African church before complaining about the American ones.