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<B>Manseau has bad church impression</B><P>
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<FONT SIZE=4><B>Laura Durbin</B><BR></FONT>Biotechnology senior
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<I>To the editor:</I><P>
I am responding to Rusty Manseau's column entitled "Message to the Church, it's time to join the present." I was so saddened by this article that I thought a Christian had to respond.The church has been around a long time and will still be around long after you and I are gone. The church is a fort for some, a hospital or home for others and a counseling center and place of worship. The world is truly changing around the church.
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The church doesn't change so easily because the kinds of changes that are occurring are not ones that help or strengthen someone's Christian walk.
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Anyone can change with the world, but dedication and Christ-like behavior are necessary to be a Christian. Changing one's beliefs each time society changes only hurts one's walk as a Christian.
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The church is traditional. It is also contemporary. Several churches are developing new programs for individuals, such as singles and parenting classes, alcohol and drug abuse classes and teenage classes where they meet in small groups to discuss their problems and joys.
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Unfortunately I find many people who think that the church is too traditional only think this way because it conflicts with their lifestyle. They are usually only concerned with what they want to do and not what God wants.
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When the church goes against their desire, then they say it's too traditional or "out-of-touch" just to try to justify their behavior. The Bible teaches that Christians are not to conform to the ways of the world. It also teaches that Jesus is the same for yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
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I am happy patterning my life after Christ and don't want to change to the ways of the world. You seem to have had a bad experience at church, but several churches have inspiring sermons and great out-reach programs.
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The Bible is traditional. It is unchanging. God calls some to be preachers, and one aspect of a preacher is to preach. The sermon is a tool to feed the people and to strengthen their Christian walk.
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God designed our model church, which most churches strive to achieve. Remember though that humans are the hands of the church, and humans are imperfect. No matter how ideal we as Christians try to make our place of worship, there will always be imperfect acts.
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You, Mr. Manseau have stated some good ideas in your article (i.e. spending money on poverty-stricken families and providing service to the needy).
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The Bible teaches us to go out into the world and help those who are spiritually and physically needy. Far too many times, we are quick to judge those of who we are not a part.
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It is easy to point a finger and say that Christians are not doing their part in the needy world. Although this is many times true, I hope that you are not using Christians as an excuse for you not doing your part to provide for a hurting society.
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