I think every believer comes to this point after a time
of journey with Christ. Someone in the church disappoints us, we’ve left our
hearts open and vulnerable, and we get burned.
Then, we wonder.
What is the deal with church? Do I really need to be
there, to leave my heart unguarded? What does Jesus care? I can read my Bible
at home, worship Him by myself in the safety and convenience of my own time.
At the ACFW Conference last month, I had the privilege of
sitting with a new author at lunch. Caleb Jennings Breakey, whose book Following
Jesus Without Leaving The Church, is releasing soon by Harvest House
Publishers. Caleb inspired me with what he had to say on this topic, and with
his realness (there’s no word that fits better).
He also got me thinking and doing some studying of my
own. One verse I came across was in Acts 20 when Paul is talking to some
leaders of the Ephesian church for the last time. He says, “Be shepherds of the
church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
Wow.
Jesus loved the church—He died for the
church. If I’m going to take that Him seriously, and take the things He loved
seriously, then that includes the church.
Let’s face it. Many times it is the same handful of
people carrying out the church’s mission. No matter whether it is a big church
or small church, the fact is the same. And sure, there are many times of joy
and satisfaction, but when those times wear thin, when we come face to face
with the inevitable imperfectness of the church, I encourage you to remember
how dear the body of Christ was to our Savior. Let’s get real about Jesus and
the legacy he left us—His church.
For that is certainly one legacy I don’t want to miss out
on.
Click here for more information on Caleb’s book and DVD
series.
Have you ever been discouraged with other Christians or with
the church? How did you deal with it? Why do you think many young Christians
leave the church? How can we change this?
I've been really blessed throughout most of my life by "the church" in general and the specific churches I've attended. So many wonderful people. BUT, when I moved to Des Moines, I did have a church experience that left me feeling...disappointed. On this side of that experience, I'm more grateful than ever to the people who invested in me and helped grow my faith throughout the years...because if that more recent experience was my only church experience, I could see how it would cause a person to leave "the church" entirely.
ReplyDeleteWhat can we do to help young people not leave? Be real, be authentic, but more than anything, be consumed by the love and hope that comes from Christ...when that's what we're living, day-in-day-out, people will be attracted to it!
AMEN, Melissa! Totally agree. Love the reminder to be real and authentic--so true.
DeleteIt's hard, because the "church" really is just a bunch of people with a common love, a common goal. But people are sinners. And sinners mess up. So "the church" will never be perfect, but like Melissa said, we can be real about that. I think people value honesty and love over perfection anyway, but hypocrisy really has the power to destroy.
ReplyDeleteLove that--people value honesty and love over perfection. Great thought.
DeleteThis post really resonates for a lot of reasons, Heidi. Thanks for your words and making me think.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to stir some thoughts. :)
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