Church

As some of you may know, we moved at the end of the school year to help accommodate our growing family.  Because of our move, we had to change churches.   I find it rather interesting that both churches began a series in January speaking about the local church and it's purpose in the big Church.  Clearly there has been a big exodus of people in the local church.  Before Christmas our former church posed the question to those who would listen why they or people they knew were leaving the local church.  I read a few of the responses and I shared it with my friends to see if anyone would respond.  It makes me sad to think of people leaving the church and still claiming faith in Christ.  I do not doubt their faith in Christ, but I do take into question their commitment to the commission Christ gave to the church and wonder how they justify their not going to church.

I realize Paul is not Christ, but many of the things the church believes and practices are based on Paul's teachings. Like Titus 2 telling older men and women to counsel and direct the younger men and women. Or in 1 Timothy where he gives instructions on prayer, church leadership, instructions on ministering to others and more.  There are many more instances in which Paul directs believers to come together to get encouragement from other believers, gain in knowledge and wisdom and to live in peace and harmony with others.

Clearly this is difficult to do perfectly because the church is an organization of sinful people.  The most common reason I hear for people not going to church is because of the hypocrites.  I'm not sure how to get away from hypocrites.  If you're looking for the perfect church, run the way you want it to be ran, you're going to have to start it yourself or wait until we're on the new earth and we're all praising God night and day.  I have decided, whatever the excuse may be, I feel it's usually a lack of faith in how intricately God is woven into our lives and how desperately we need each other in the battle with Satan while on this earth.  Another excuse that is common is they feel they have been slighted by the church, and that may be true, but chances are, both sides were sinning in the process and forgiveness must happen or bitterness will set in.

I have had trouble with being angry.  Angry at people for their lack of understanding, or for being self-involved, and at my kids and husband.  If I actually examine myself, I am being pretty self-involved.  I try to control things that are out of my control and I should be leaning on God for my understanding, wisdom, forgiveness and grace.  I think some people make excuses.  As a preacher's kid I heard the phrase, church would be great if it weren't for all the people, all the time.  It was a joke for pastor's and other people who knew the church was full of sinners, including the people who run the church.

I hope I've said before that I'm a really poor writer.  My thoughts don't flow together as well as I'd like and I get distracted easily.  I think the church should/does play a major role in a believer's walk with Christ.  Is any church perfect, no.  If the church is available to us, should we take advantage? Yes. Going to church should not become a habit, but it should make you want to stop and learn.  If you're not getting something out of it, maybe you will next week.  It's not about you all the time.  That's one of the things our pastor likes to say.  I also appreciate that he doesn't sugar coat it.  If the bible says it's wrong, he tells you that's what he believes and he has scripture to back him up.  Our church isn't perfect.  There are some things that drive me crazy, but I try not to focus on them, because we love our small group, we feel connected to the missionaries, there are many different areas where we can serve, and the kids have several kids their age, so they are making friends.