For many of us of the Christian faith, there may be times when we see great chasms between what Christ seemed to call the church to be and what the church actually does. Maybe you’re reading this article, and you’re one of those who have left the church or become disillusioned with it because of its seeming distance from the purposes Jesus commanded. Perhaps you are a regular churchgoer but have found yourself discouraged because the Pastor preaches too much on one subject, or not enough on another that you think should be emphasized. Maybe you think the church has become too fractured, or not welcoming enough, or too focused on money, or not focused on money enough, maybe it’s too traditional, maybe it’s too contemporary, and thus the divide grows and grows until one becomes separated or separates themselves from the community of faith that is the church.
Does this sound like you? If it does, then you are not alone. Every single Christian will at some point in their lives come into conflict with this Christ-established, but humanity-operated institution we call the church. You will run into people who behave in seemingly ungodly ways, and you will encounter rampant bureaucracy and politics throughout its pews. It will exist in every church, every sanctuary, and from every pulpit. And if you happen to find yourself in a church with nothing but perfect people, with perfect sermons and teachings, then do yourself a favor and run out that door because you’ve likely just wandered into a cult!
I don’t want to minimize the conflicts people have had with churches in their lives. Great harm has been done by those who claim to be representatives of Christ Jesus. And rest assured that those who willingly abuse and misuse the trust entrusted within the responsibilities of the parish, their judgment will be swift at the hands of our Heavenly Father. As a Pastor, I have come to understand that my imperfections as a human being can often damage people’s faith. Though it is unintentional, it is still a reality, and I live with this guilt daily, praying for God’s forgiveness for the moments I have missed or people I have neglected due to my human frailties.
