People in the Church

Church would be great if it wasn’t for the people.

Did I really say that out loud? Oops.

The thing is that I enjoy the singing most Sundays. And I love the sermons almost every time. I even like the ushers.

But put me face to face with a church person, and I’m through.

Church people can be mean.  They can be hurtful. They can be needy. And I’m just talking about the average church member. Find a church worker, and you can add haughty, entitled, and arrogant to the list (everyone except me, that is).

Frankly, my dear, I just would enjoy church a lot more without the people.

I know you’ve felt it too.

Did God screw up when he threw people in the church mix? Did his plan careen out of control? Did the experiment go awry? What was God thinking when he put people in the church?

Could it be that God intended for his church to be made up of screwed up people? Could it be that messed up people are in fact intrinsic to the fiber of the church?

I can think of 5 reasons why God welcomes messed up people in His church.

1. To show us of His extravagant love. It’s easy to love the likeable. Even I can do that. But take that person you  don’t even like, and try loving them now. It’s almost impossible. But Jesus did it. And he still does. Day after screwed up day He welcomes us with open arms despite our worst sins.

2. To remind us of our great need for Him. I know I need God. Every Sunday, I need thee, God. Through the morning service, and often through the evening one, I need thee, Oh I need thee. I don’t mean to be glib, but the truth is that without the Lord I cannot deal with other people – especially church people. That’s not a bad thing to remember.

3. To teach us to show great love to others. We’ve got to move beyond just realizing our need for God in dealing with others, and actually take a step in loving others. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love doesn’t call others annoying. Love exceeds expectation and gives sacrificially without expecting anything in return. Love keeps on loving even after we’ve been hurt. That kind of love is impossible – without Christ. Teach me, Lord, teach me to Love the way of the cross.

4. To grow in us His great fruit. There are some things we can do, and some things only God can do. The fruit of the Spirit only God can grow. Do you need love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control? Well, you’re in the right place if you’re in church. There’s no better soil to grow God’s fruit but in the middle of this mess!

5. To reveal to us His great power. How could Jesus take 11 mediocre men and change the world through them? Peter couldn’t stay awake, Thomas had a hard time believing, John was cuddling somewhere, and most of the others we can’t even name. But God chose these weak and ordinary men to do a pretty extraordinary work: build his church. I want him to do the same through me – despite how broken I feel.

Hey – are you tired of the people in your church? Do you find yourself quickly critical and easily annoyed?

Stop. Look. And Listen.

There’s more to the story than meets the eyes.

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