http://www.flowerdust.net/2010/01/11/breaking-news-new-survey-says-christians-give-poor-people-the-shaft/

Above is the link to a blog by Anne Jackson that has some stats (that may or may not be true) about the what Christian activists view as important compared to the average activist.

This type of information reminds me why we are starting Revolution Church to not be based or focused on issues such as abortion, homosexuality, politics, war, health care, etc...

We want to LOVE PEOPLE...ALL PEOPLE...and let God deal with the issues. In fact, the most REVOLUTIONARY part of Revolution Church will be the fact that two people with opposite opinions on any "issue" will be able to worship the God of all Creation in the SAME ROOM and not be attacked or told that they are wrong. I want people who disagree with ME to stand WITH ME and worship. THAT shows the WORLD that we truly love GOD and PEOPLE more than we disagree with people's ideas, choices, lifestyles, or actions. Think about the impact that will have on people who don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ because they view the church as judgemental and "anti" everything...

Maybe...just maybe...it will change the world...

I LOVE Mark Batterson. He is an INCREDIBLE leader and pastor! This is his blog from today and it's RIGHT ON. Check it out...and if you want to follow him just head over to evotional.com

Thou Shalt Offend Pharisees
from The Batterson Blog - Thoughts on Life and Leadership by Mark Batterson

I have a mantra: thou shalt offend pharisees.

Isn't that the example Jesus set? He didn't have the time of day for self-righteousness. Seems like he hated nothing more. The Pharisees turned everything into an argument. They found something wrong with everything--even miracles. And they were all about image. They looked totally righteous on the outside. They said the right things. They did the right things. But Jesus called them whitewashed tombs.

Abraham Lincoln said, "You can please all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can't please all the people all the time."

So good. So true.

So here's the question: who are you offending?

Most of us are far more concerned about offending Pharisees than offending sinners. But is that the example Jesus set? He didn't offend prostitutes or tax collectors. He shared meals with them. He restored their dignity. But he wasn't afraid to call a pharisee a pharisee.

Having said that let me say this: make sure you have people in your lives that can speak the truth in love. You need accountability. Why? Because no one is above reproach or above rebuke. So make sure you listen to the voice of the prophet. But don't listen to the self-righteousness pharisee. Don't dialogue with them. Don't listen to them. Don't give them the time of day. Why? Because Jesus didn't.

Hope that helps someone who is fighting Pharisees.