Who is the Church?

(From March 7th to March 30th, I was in Georgia at my parents home. My Dad, at 98 years old, had a pacemaker “installed” on the 7th. My Mother has other issues of aging and requires 24/7 attention.

During the three plus weeks I was there in addition to daily chores to keep things going there were two hospital stays, two ER visits, two Urgent Care visits, one dentist appointment and five doctor appointments.

My brother and I are their only children and we both live in the West and are at least four hours away by plane.

My parents have been faithful supporters of the organized Church as long as I can remember. They have supported their local Protestant Church for the last seventy years both financially and by their service.

For the last thirty-three years they have been members of a Methodist Church only a few blocks from their Home. Until a few years back when they became physically unable, they attended Sunday School and Weekly Worship Service on a regular basis. They have continued to financially support the local Church as well as various charities.

Through the years my Mother has taught Sunday School, both adult and children’s classes, Vacation Bible School and lead various Prayer Groups. My Dad has served on the Church Board as well as other committees. I have witnessed their service in visiting the sick, the home bound and those in need. They have helped with shopping and meals where needed, while they were able.

During the three plus weeks I was there, there were only two times that there was outreach from their Church. That was not only appalling to me but very upsetting to my Dad.

At ninety-eight years old facing heart surgery, he needed and wanted his pastor to pray with him. A close friend of my Dad’s notified the Church of the situation. Friends and family were praying and my Dad and Mother were prayed for by many who didn’t know them. No representative from the Church showed up for the two days my Dad was in the Hospital.

The following week another call was placed to the Church by a friend. Shortly thereafter the Assistant Pastor called at the house for a short visit. My Dad was cordial, much more than I would have been, but said to me “I needed him last week.”

On the 26th of March my Dad was again admitted to the hospital because of an infection that had developed. There was concern that in his current condition that the infection could spread to his blood stream. By that time, my brother was in Georgia, and he was spending time at the hospital with our Dad, while I kept things going with our Mother.

Sometime during that time, their pastor stopped by the hospital and left a note that my Dad was sleeping and he didn’t want to wake him up.

That was the extent of outreach through today. I will say that there have been calls and inquiries from several individual Church Members who are friends with either me or my parents. Extended family have stepped in and helped. Their current caregiver stayed with them until she was relieved by family.

People have sometimes inquired of me why I no longer participate in the organized Church. Although I am open to attending services with family and friends, I have become more and more disillusioned with today’s organized Church.

I value my spirituality, my belief in Jesus Christ and pray daily for strength, forgiveness, gratitude and for peace…both peace in my life and peace in the World.

I am appreciative of those who were helpful and supportive of me and my parents during this time.

In the New Testament , the term Church was used for both the local community of believers and the overall collection of Christians.

So who is the Church?

Marlene, my Mother’s caregiver who saw that my Dad was taken to the hospital and stayed with my Mother until I could get there.

My cousin, Dan and my daughter in law, Michelle, who went to the hospital during my Dad’s pacemaker surgery.

Family friend, Buddy, who stayed in touch and prayed for us.

Other extended family members and friends who helped with suggestions and prayed for us.

Kennestone Hospital Cardiac Care and Surgical Team, ER staff and various doctors and nurses, who have been kind and gone way beyond expectations.

Benny, Alex and Jenae at Enterprise Car rental, who helped me by getting fees waived when I didn’t get rental car returned and were kind and helpful, when I explained the situation, in getting the rental rate reduced.

Family members who helped pay some of the extra expenses of the past month.

What all of the above mentioned did to help in this time of crisis, renewed my faith in the human race. I knew that prayers were being answered. It is impossible to express my gratitude to all of you.

And to the organized Church, I ask…

Where were the people who visit the sick and the shut ins?

Where were the people who bring meals to those in need?

Where were those who sit at the Hospital with those who fight for their lives?

Where was the Shepard to comfort the worried?

It is my hope that this was an isolated incident and my purpose in calling it to everyone’s attention is that each of us as individuals examine our own spirituality and how we respond in times of need. Maybe the “organization” has lost it’s focus, I am grateful that individuals have not.

Love and Peace.

Linda