Doesn’t life itself beg the question why bother with church?

I need to tell you something. Something that has been weighing pretty heavy on my heart lately. I’d rather not admit it, but I know I’ve got to. I know I’ve got to get some junk out into the light. Are you ready?

I don’t care for church right now.

There I said it. I know my attitude is wrong, but the first step in fixing a problem is admitting one exists. Right?

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

So here is my problem:

Church can be a chore. Honestly. There are days I’d rather sit on the couch with a cup of coffee than go to church. I mean, come on. Who really wants to rally four kids, get them to brush their teeth, put on matching shoes and out the door in time for worship service? Isn’t it easier to just stay home? Doesn’t life itself beg the question why bother with church?

And on top of the logistics of getting to church, there are issues within the church. We are divisive and competitive with one another. We get in arguments over theology and traditions. We push our preferences and personal agendas and often forget the beauty and simplicity of the gospel. So why bother?

Why bother with a broken church?

It’s an honest question. Really it is. And I know I’m not the only one who has ever asked it. I also know the “right” answer to this question: because we are suppose to. But because we are suppose to just doesn’t cut it for me anymore. And I’m guessing that it may not be cutting it for many of you either.

Let’s get to the truth.

I don’t want the “right” answer anymore — I want truth. I want to know what Jesus had to say (and is still saying though His holy word) about church and why I should bother. Don’t you? Thought so.

Ephesians 5:25-29 says:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

I know that this passage is often used (and rightfully so) to teach about biblical marriage, but it also teaches so much about Jesus’ true love — His church. Jesus loves His Church — His bride — the way wives desire to be loved by their husbands. Jesus loves her they way He loves Himself. Even more so. He literally-literally! gave His life for her so that she could be presented to His Father holy and without blemish.

Jesus loves His church with an unconditional, undeserved, unfathomable love.

And this is why we should bother with church: because Jesus bothered with church. Flaws and all. He loves her. She is His bride. And if Jesus loves her I want to love her, too. Don’t you?

So here’s the deal. Every Tuesday for the next several weeks I and a few of my blogging-buddies will be sharing our thought’s on the Church. We will share:

• scriptures defining the church and our role in it;
• words of encouragement for when you are ready to give up on the church;
• our thoughts on church-hopping;
• how to be active in the church when you haven’t found a church “home”;
• about addressing issues that can divide;
• how the church is a blessing to individual believers and how individuals can be a blessing to the church.

We are not church experts and I hope we don’t come across that way. We don’t have all the answers to all the problems within church. No, not at all. But, my hope is that through our words you will see that you are not alone. We are all sinners struggling to serve and love the body of Christ as He has loved us. My prayer is that as we write — and as you read — we will learn to show the same amount of love, compassion, and grace to our brothers and sisters as God has shown us. We want our words to edify the church and help to bring unity. Please pray that they do.

Friends, “doing” church is hard. Let’s be honest about this and bring this out into the light. Let’s share our struggles, walk in the light together, and (most importantly) pray for one another. There is no other way to have true fellowship.

So… what are you struggling with? How can I pray for you and your local body of Christ? Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.

Only by grace,

Kelli