Hi Sarah,

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.

To respond to a few of your points...

"Why don’t you teach your leaders and congregation they are to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus?"

I believe I strive to do this - as do most of the pastors I know.

I think it's also fair to say that all followers of Christ fail to consistently and completely be like Christ.

We all fall short.

But we should keep striving - and church should indeed be a community that equips and encourages us to do so.

"I’ve had baptists tell me there is no Holy Spirit..."

Wow. That's sad.

"... that all Gay people are going to hell. That all Catholics are pedophiles."

Sad as well.

"...MAGA is the answer..."

Again, sad.

We're supposed to emphasize Jesus as the Answer.

"There’s no belief in healing."

None of the churches I've ever been a part of and none of the pastors I know have denied or do deny the healing power of God.

"There is no Mercy and Grace given to others as Jesus taught us."

Yeah, many Christians lack in Mercy and Grace.

It's a balance, though. (Proverbs 3:3-4). We're also supposed to proclaim the truth. I find that very few people get that balance right.

"Maybe you don’t need to get out but to change denominations..."

Most of the people in the church I serve are wonderful. Most of the people I've rubbed shoulders with in ministry are great and/or are doing the best they can. We're all works in progress.

I wrote this article not to grind any axes or bash anyone but to call attention to a crisis that needs to be addressed.

Churches across the board, especially those who are evangelical and who have a congregational polity, need to continually reevaluate their expectations of their pastors - and make sure their understanding of the church is in line with Scripture.

"...to one that teaches the love of Christ Jesus is extended to all people..."

Agreed.

Again, though, I find that (looking out over all 'Christendom') most Christians, denominations, and churches get the balance between truth and mercy (see Proverbs 3:3-4) wrong. They are either too far one way or too far the other.

"If you can’t keep your eyes on Jesus it might be time to find a place where you can."

That's a good wisdom for anyone in any church.

"Peace and Grace be with you."

Thank you. Back at you. :-)