The Church: Are My Thoughts Irrelevant?

Many of us have had tough experiences with church, and whether we think we were part of the problem or not, there are always 2 sides to a story. These experiences should cause us to lean into God if we view them properly. We must never look at those who have hurt us as though they represent God 100%, then use that as an excuse to turn away from Him and His people.

While I'm a big advocate for examining self and restoring relationships, there are times when we are simply better off NOT going back into a situation which is perhaps unGodly, abusive or off-kilter Biblically. And there are also times when we have made an error and need to run back to the Church for help!

But above all, it's highly important the we DO NOT build a view of the Church based on what has happened to us: good or bad. Our understanding of how the Church should operate should never be based on our feelings or experiences, but on the Word of God. Many people have had gratifying experiences with Church, and most Churches are likely Biblical and God honoring, but if I have a gratifying experience with a Church that doesn't necessarily make it a Biblical experience. Nor does my negative experience make the church unBiblical.

Take for example the person who is continually elevated and given A+ treatment by a Church because of the large offerings they are able to give. To this person, his treatment may make him feel that he's in a wonderful, Biblical Church, but an examination of Scripture shows that this is not true (James 2:2-4).

While we could list numerous examples of Biblical and unBiblical circumstances, the bottom line is that we must seek Scripture's insights on how the Church is to operate and then shift our thoughts and actions to line up with it. But in doing this, the whole counsel of God must be considered; picking or choosing a few Scriptures here and there will give us a skewed view of God's Church as well as an excuse for poor attitudes and behaviors toward our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are at a crossroads, a time when we have great freedom to make choices. But those choices must not be made based on the way we feel. Spiritual responsibility and righteousness dictate that we take the high road and pour ourselves in the Bible; we cannot wait for someone else to tell us how God intends to run His church! It's our responsibility and privilege to make the Bible our source of knowledge, wisdom and information concerning the Church. We must seek Him before forming opinions or following people who may have good intentions but do not align with the Word of God!

Does this mean that once we have studied the Word, and perhaps see something askew in the Church we attend, we should run from there? God forbid that we see everyone else as imperfect and ourselves as perfect. Perhaps it's the perfect opportunity to lovingly ask questions, pray, observe and examine self in the process. Remember that we are all imperfect people being perfected by God. Follow His leading while operating in grace and love!

Remember, also, that there are some things which God leaves for each Church to put in place and establish for their individual congregations (Matt. 16 &19). God is not so restrictive with us as to establish a hard set of rules for operating, but He leaves much up to the local congregation and those leading, trusting that they will seek His face for direction.

Lastly, with great emphasis, I encourage you to search the Bible before you decide what "Church" means. Is it a large gathering, is it a small group? Or perhaps it has many shapes and forms which are all interconnected.

May God bless those who are diligently seeking and striving to follow His pattern for the Church, all 'additives' aside!