Oz,
I didnt address the verse because I dont really know what you are driving at. Yes, Jesus will separate the sheep from goats and we cannot always tell which are which. Does this give "Christians" a right to speak ill of those who are leaders in their local churches or condemn local gatherings of believers because things do not always go their way? I am not criticizing Bard. I understand she felt compelled for various reasons to leave her local church and felt they were not doing enough. Okay. But at what point do we stop pointing the finger at the local pastors and start looking at ourselves in the mirror for the reason Christianity is failing to reach the next generation in our age?
The problem is that many in our culture think "church" is what takes place on Sunday. This is utter nonsense. Yes, church needs to be interactive...and most churches have ample opportunity to get active (people working with youth, preaching, teaching, Sunday school classes, women's groups, men's groups, worship groups, children's programs, senior's groups, singles groups, and on and on and on). Last I checked, the local pastor generally does not run all these classes or programs. At the church I attend, we are constantly struggling to get people to step up to teach a Sunday school class, volunteer for nursery rotation or visit shut-ins. Most people want to attend or make use of these programs, but do not want to invest themselves in them. These are often the same ones that are quick to critique when that program isnt being run the way they expect it to. Moreover, these events/programs are just there to build believers up so they can go about being the "church" in their workplace and community the other 5-6 days of the week. Sundays and Wednesdays are not "the church" so just because there isnt time for all 100-1,000 people to stand up and speak their mind in the local morning sermon/singing time is not preventing people from being "involved" or "active."
We live in an age of arrogant entitlement where people want everything to go exactly as they expect it. They demand service and grace from their leaders, but aren't so eager to give it when those leaders make a mistake or do something in a way that is not how others think it should be done. So many "Christian" today spend a great amount of time criticizing and maligning their church and governmental leaders, but little to no time praying for them. Of all those complaining about such leaders, my guess is that almost none of them spend any time actually wrestling in prayer on behalf of that individual. It is as though the moment someone gets the title priest, pastor or preacher, the Christian rules of grace, love and forgiveness no longer apply.
In sum, yes, I know Jesus is going to separate the wheat from the chaff. I just think that much of the outrage we hear from people who are leaving and spurning the local church is not the righteous indignation that it is peddled as. Rather, it is often little more than arrogance, selfishness and a calloused heart that refuses to give grace and forgiveness. The church is the bride of Christ. We should love her, serve her and DEFEND her in a day and age when the world is constantly attacking her. Why join the ranks of the ungodly? No, not all who attend church are Christian. Sadly enough, not all pastors are truly Christian. This should cause us tears and heartache as we determine to get involved even more to help and pray for the local churches so they can be a light in our communities rather than deride them along with a world that is always searching for a reason to dismiss Jesus Christ.
Did you know that the average pastor serves at the local church for 3 or less years and then leaves ministry, never to return again? Think about that! Someone just spent half a decade preparing to be a church leader and with great zeal and excitement they jump into the local church to teach, guide and help the church reach the community. Within three years they have quit and determine never to lead in a church again. What a sad commentary! And it usually all boils down to a bunch of adults acting like 5 year olds and complaining and leaving over dates, times, music, ministries, and how people ought to do things the way they demand to have it done. I have a feeling many with these divisive, critical and unforgiving attitude (both in and outside of the local church) will be among those "goats" in your reference. Thus, the problem is not the pastor or the structure. The problem is people. Just as it was in Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Laodicea, etc. We need to stop looking for someone to pin all the problems on and start looking to be a people who determine to be a part of the solution.