Churches Should Really Be Loving

Outside of Philadelphia and coverage from Religion News Service (RNS), I doubt few people noticed this news item.

However, when a church in the City of Brotherly Love recently lived up to Philly’s nickname, the story had a “man bites dog” quality to it.

As RNS reported, Tenth Street Presbyterian Church voluntarily gave up its city permit that allowed members to park on the street outside its building during church services.

Granted, this followed four months of bike lane parties. Bicycle activists protested outside the church and snapped photos of church members parked in bike lanes. The bicyclists considered the blockages a nuisance, permit or no permit.

Now, there was nothing wrong with members parking there. Still, when the controversy continued, push came to shove. The congregation of Tenth Street Presbyterian decided to work with the city to find alternatives.

“The point is that many of our neighbors see us as self-centered, pursuing our own interests and unconcerned with their welfare,” the executive pastor said in a video posted to the church’s Facebook page. “That’s something that could easily become a stumbling block for them…”

Food for Thought

I think Tenth Street Presbyterian Church’s action is food for thought for many Christians. Especially in light of 2020, when draconian lockdowns prevented many churches from meeting for months.

Ours stopped having services for nearly three months before restrictions eased. When we resumed, attendance fell off so dramatically that social distancing was of little concern.

However, the thing that bothered me during that time was the attitude expressed by numerous church members across the land: “You can’t tell us what to do!”

The reason that concerned me was the apparent lack of respect for what neighbors in the surrounding community (many consumed with fear) were thinking and feeling.

Not only was there a lack of sensitivity toward neighbors, many protests were shrouded in barely-concealed anger and animosity.

Granted, in hindsight the lockdowns probably caused more problems than they prevented. I’ve talked to mental health counselors who say they’re still dealing with pandemic fallout. And standardized testing shows many students have yet to catch up with what they missed.

Still, when the church’s knee-jerk reaction to situations like the pandemic is fear and anger, it gives lie to the claim that “Jesus is the answer.” It’s almost as if the shouters should add, “Except when you tread on our turf!”

Cooperation Comes First

I realize that many domestic government edicts went too far.

And I don’t make light of the possibility that the restrictions of 2020 could turn into more overbearing rules in the future. Most likely couched in terms of public safety or health issues.

Unless and until that happens, though, churches need to avoid fighting so hard for their “rights” that they win the battle while losing the war.

Our default position needs to be one of love and understanding, not hostility, anger, and suspicion.

More than once in recent years, I’ve written stories about churches that dealt with local governments over various issues.

To their surprise, Christians forewarned by some of hostility at city hall instead encountered friendly cooperation. Especially when the church’s project benefited schoolchildren or community organizations.

Given that reality, I suggest a different stance going forward.

During His time on earth, Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

Like Tenth Street Presbyterian, let’s live like those words are true.