Churches today have lots of the same problems of the church leaders in Jesus' day whose own sense of ego and power led them to self-justify killing the very Son of God. The best churches can facilitate blessings through wise council offering blessings without numbers and Bible study groups can serve as excellent small support groups who seek truth and support one another with prayer and potted plants, and organizations support missions and service in great ways, and I do not like to miss the blessings of worship with a church family.
I've been active a church in one way or another nearly all my life (I must confess to lapsing away from best practices on this at times) and I have been both blown away by the blessings I have found in churches and totally embarrassed that we miss the mark so much. Some churches I would just not recommend a new Christian to even while I stay to pray for and toil in a church that is badly broken.
But here is the deal: no matter how awful an experience (or even experiences) might have been, being so mad that we judge harshly all thing spiritual based on an error by someone is like being mad about of life's challenges. Would you forgo the blessings of a truly fine surgeon because his office staff is in need of better skills? Would you choose a poorly rated school over one that offers the best there is in your chosen field because someone was rude during a campus visit? Would you decline a promotion because it meant you would have a co-worker in that area with a weird sense of proportion?
And so, my friend, it is with churches. Don't miss the blessing because you are hung up on someone else's error, limit or quirk. Instead, be grateful they admit error prone, limited and quickly people like you and I! Yup, even we are are welcome to travel together on this journey to which God has called us.
I've been active a church in one way or another nearly all my life (I must confess to lapsing away from best practices on this at times) and I have been both blown away by the blessings I have found in churches and totally embarrassed that we miss the mark so much. Some churches I would just not recommend a new Christian to even while I stay to pray for and toil in a church that is badly broken.
But here is the deal: no matter how awful an experience (or even experiences) might have been, being so mad that we judge harshly all thing spiritual based on an error by someone is like being mad about of life's challenges. Would you forgo the blessings of a truly fine surgeon because his office staff is in need of better skills? Would you choose a poorly rated school over one that offers the best there is in your chosen field because someone was rude during a campus visit? Would you decline a promotion because it meant you would have a co-worker in that area with a weird sense of proportion?
And so, my friend, it is with churches. Don't miss the blessing because you are hung up on someone else's error, limit or quirk. Instead, be grateful they admit error prone, limited and quickly people like you and I! Yup, even we are are welcome to travel together on this journey to which God has called us.
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