Let the church be the church . . . the Body of Christ . . . the children of God . . .

While there are people who go to church yet are without faith in Jesus Christ, there are others who profess faith but seldom set foot inside a church building. They have reasons. Usually someone deeply offended them. Or they see hypocrisy. Or the nearest congregation happens to be lukewarm and more of a social club. Or it is ruined by false teaching. I hate to say it, but there are many groups that call themselves Christian but have abandoned using the Bible or have gone off on some tangent or other.

For most of my Christian life, I’ve been the most concerned for those on the fringes. They are missing much more than they realize. Besides, God tells us this:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23–25)

There are those less than helpful congregations, but there are others that follow the pattern given in the Word of God. An important part of what church is all about is described in Ephesians:

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:11–16)

Good leaders are vital and they can be found. In this day of well-known mega churches, the tendency is wanting a super-star leader yet faithfulness is not measured by numbers. Many small churches have leaders who do the work commanded by the Lord. They stick to the goal of making mature, Christ-like believers who love one another, speak the truth in love, and work together to build themselves up in love. Sincere and loving groups of Christians can be found.

Church-hopping is not a good plan unless it involves the search for the right church, not a perfect church but one that glorifies God, has biblical goals and uses Scripture well. In our many moves, we have always been led to good, growing churches filled with loving people, for which I am so thankful.

How do I apply this? I can encourage those on the fringes, pray for a change of attitude and direction, and pray for those congregations that have problems and are disappointing to those earnestly seeking God and fellowship with His people. Most of all, I must be the kind of individual that fits the description, building up others, encouraging unity, speaking the truth in love, and pointing people to the grace and mercy of God rather than picking at the imperfections in people. If I disobey God, I could be the one ruining an otherwise good church and cause people to abandon it and even God.

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Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your promise to build Your church. You are the head, the focus, the One we worship and serve. May I never forget that. Keep me from becoming a critic that finds fault with everyone or lets every little imperfection bug me. May I have the grace and loving attitude that glorifies and draws others to You and to worship with Your people.

Today’s thankful list . . .

God’s faithful love that never quits.

Lunch and good conversation with God’s people.

All the faith-builders in my life.

A fun afternoon running errands with my hubby.

Supper with a small group gathered to pray together.

The pleasant fatigue that goes with having a busy day.