But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:24b-25
Here is the church
Here is the steeple
Open the door
Here are the people
Maybe you remember this little rhyme from childhood. But I also remember learning very early on in Sunday school that the church is not the building with its steeple, stained glass windows perhaps, pulpit, and pews. The church IS the people, forgiven, yet still flawed. Did God know, when He “called out” so many different people into one body, that we would have so many problems?
Recently I asked on my social media for people who don’t like going to church to tell me why. I received quite a variety of answers from an interesting cross-section of people. Some, now happy at church, admitted that in the past, their own weaknesses and hang-ups and misunderstandings caused them to be uncomfortable at worship services. Some were folks who used to be happy at church, but negative experiences over time led to a feeling of disillusionment. Many decided to change churches. Some stopped going altogether.
Regardless, the great majority of responses I received had to do with problems between people, or problems admittedly in the person’s own heart. What makes the church experience either positive or negative depends largely on the people— their thoughts and their interactions. We worshipers are not perfect. But the God we are worshiping is! Interestingly, no one in my informal survey said anything about God being the problem.
Church was God’s idea and there’s nothing wrong with His idea. All the problems in churches— every last one— is user error, human beings missing the mark as to what church is supposed to be and be like.
The letters to the seven churches of Asia (Revelation 2-3) show us that God does judge churches as groups. But at the final judgment, He will judge each of us individually for what we could control, and most of us have very little control over our congregation. Even the pastor or the preacher can’t force the congregation to do what they’re supposed to. What each of us always has control over is our own actions. And that’s what we’ll be judged for.
Did I sit in the same pew for 50 years and never welcome a visitor or try to encourage other members? Did I stir up trouble in my church by complaining or spreading gossip? Did I forsake the assembly for years because I perceived the church was full of hypocrites?
Or did I sit alone in the pew for years, when no one returned my smiles or my efforts at friendship, because I knew I needed to be there? Did I study my Bible all the more and participate in class when the teacher wasn’t very good? When I saw strife and sin, did I do everything I personally could do to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ?
Those who are happy at church need to recognize that not everyone feels the same. Maybe the person who doesn’t like church is just spiritually immature, but it may be something else. We have a responsibility to them either way. If we don’t want to add to their discouragement, we must honor them by talking to them rather than making assumptions.
And to those who are dissatisfied: maybe others should be able to see the problem, but if they don’t, there may be a need for more communication on your part. It’s not wise or fair to expect others to read your mind, nor can you read theirs. Whatever happens, don’t take it out on God by withdrawing from church completely.
It’s surely no surprise to God that the church has problems, because the church is the people and people mess up. It shouldn’t surprise us either. Occasionally it may be appropriate to find a different church, but God’s plan is for us to learn to work together, and His plan will work when we remember that we’ll be judged individually for how we respond to the problems. Open the door; here are the people. If I’m not honoring them, I’m not honoring God.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
by Christie Cole Atkins
Dear Heavenly Father, please remind us, when we are tempted to quit on each other, that You love us as Your children and want us to be united. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit may we fulfill the prayer of Christ by loving each other and forgiving each other as You have forgiven us by the blood of Your dear Son, in whose name we pray, Amen.
Related Reading:
Walk Worthy 