The perfect church for imperfect people

We've all heard the complaint: "I don't go to church because of all the hypocrites there." Well...the complaint is true. The church is full of hypocrites...and much worse. Everybody sitting in a congregation, and standing behind the pulpit, is broken in some ways. Some are more broken than others, but we all have a past. We also have a present that has some things in it that needs a little work. However, we also have a Savior who is very good at healing broken things.

We need to understand that the church has always supposed to have been a hospital for the sick and broken. It's not supposed to be a club for perfect people but a place where the ones who need healing can come and find that healing. Sometimes we forget that. Some churches send a very clear message that no imperfect people are allowed. As an Area Minister I was called in to more than one church that had problems because that was how they treated people. A lot of times that message was subtle, but other times it was pretty clear that some people weren't welcomed.

What kind of church should imperfect people look for? First, it must be a church that understands grace. Sometimes people have been Christians for so long that they forget what they were like before they got saved. They forget how it was the grace of God that looked past their sins and saw what they could be as children of God. When a person understands how much grace was extended to him or her, it becomes easier to extend that grace to others. If it doesn't, then something is seriously wrong.

A church for imperfect people is also a church that recognizes the authority of the Word of God. Some churches emphasize grace and acceptance to the point that they ignore the clear teachings of Scripture. If we really love someone we will tell them if they are taking a path through life that will ultimately lead to problems. I try to explain to people that God loves us just as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us in that condition. That is the kind of love we should have for others as well.

Imperfect people need a church that understands patience. Just because a person invites Christ into his or her heart doesn't mean everything changes by the next morning. The church needs to understand that people need time to grow in discipleship. They may very well take two steps forward and one step back, and this may occur for some time. If we forget that, we need to reminded of our own spiritual journeys. None of us have it all figured out yet, so why should we expect others to do so.

The perfect church for imperfect people is one that invites others to join them in their spiritual journey. Each of us are imperfect people on a journey to spiritual wholeness, and we need to invite other imperfect people to join us as we make the trip.

I wouldn't want to pastor a church that consisted of only perfect people. I wouldn't want to join a church that only had perfect people in it. If I did, it wouldn't be perfect any more. I want to be part of a real church made up of real people who are open to God creating them into what He wants them to be.

If you've been avoiding church because of all the hypocrites, we have room for one more. Come join us and make this journey to wholeness with us.