Request for Advice

Friends who read this blog, I want to ask you for some advice. Recently I posted my earlier blog entry entitled "Where the Hell is the Church?" to Facebook for a wider audience to read. You might recall that post as a rather angry expression of my dissatisfaction with the church which has, in my opinion, largely neglected its mission to the poor. An old friend of mine responded to this post with a message to me and I would like to share with you our correspondence below:

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My friend wrote:

There aren't many other people I would bring this up to, Greg, but I know you will take it for what it is worth:

You aren't going to enlist people in our cause by coming off as angry and bitter. What few people you get that way will not be there for the right reasons. If you love what you are doing, say so. If it's real, then people will see that and a certain number will want to come along. It may not be a huge number, but it will be an effective force, and God may even make your efforts go further than you thought possible, just like He did when the disciples fed the five thousand.

I responded:

Thanks for these words, friend. I've just spent the last half hour thinking about them and praying over them. Perhaps you are right. I was quite reluctant to post this most recent note which I originally wrote only for my few blog readers. I don't want to come off as just another "angry liberal." I know how much of a turnoff that can be. On the other hand, I must admit that I am indeed angry. I am angry that the church is not, in my humble opinion, accomplishing its mission. And I'm not quite sure what to do with that anger. If it is righteous anger then, just as Jeremiah spoke out to his people, I am also obligated to speak out. (In fact, you might accuse Jeremiah as "coming off angry and bitter" given many of the things he says). This is the constant tension that I wrestle with as one who feels called to be a prophet: I want to speak what I believe the church needs to hear even if it is unpleasant. At the same time, I don't want to be a bitter and angry person. Maybe you can help me here.

Let's take an example of something we both agree on. Both of us are adamantly opposed to abortion. Now if one night I get inspired to write down my honest anger and outrage over the murderous killing of our children and write about it, this might come off as angry and bitter to some (especially those who disagree with me). But, assuming that my cause is just, would I be wrong in expressing such indignation? I just don't know the answer to that question. Sometimes I think "yes" and sometimes "no." Your response has hit me hard probably because for years I have wrestled with the very issue that you raise. Another factor to consider is that a number of people have written me and told me what a blessing my post was to them. So I'm not sure what to do with that. Let's keep this dialog going because I deeply respect your opinions. Thanks for courageously advising me of your thoughts.

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So now, my dear blog readers, I turn this question to you. Is it right to cry out in anger about what I consider to be social injustices or would it be better to maintain a silent witness through actions alone? Would remaining silent be more virtuous or would it actually be an act of neglect? I look forward to your responses.