It has become popular sport to cheer the demise of the church. I guess it’s a part of the DNA of Protestantism to protest, even if it means protesting oneself out of the faith. I remember Bishop John Shelby Spong’s protest in his book Why Christianity must Change or Die. The spirit of Spong can now be read in the works of Brian McClaren, and others. The problem is that this is becoming mainstream. Even among Pentecostals, those over enthused fundamentalist, we hear some of the same. A friend recently shared a post in which someone listed “15 reasons I left the church.” That provoked me to ask myself, “Why do I love the church?” Well, I love the church because…
The church has nurtured my faith in Jesus Christ. Since I was a small child, dedicated women taught me the stories of the Bible. Their dedication to teaching children enriched my childhood. As a teen, it was men in the church who reached out to me, prayed for me, and encouraged me in the Faith. As I entered undergraduate studies, and later seminary, it was dedicated teachers – professors of the Faith – who guided me as I grew in the knowledge of Christ.
The church has provided mentors that taught Christian leadership. As I entered into adulthood and began pursuing the call of God, the men and women of the church provided godly examples of service and hard work, and the importance of the spiritual disciplines of prayer and study. Through the years, those over me in the Lord have provided counsel and wisdom. My colleagues in ministry have offered friendship and support.
The church has taught me the truths of the Word of God. I love the Bible. I am fully aware of the many difficulties of the text and narrative, but I love the Bible. It faithfully presents the horrors of sinful humanity and the continuous salvific movement of God to save humanity. Within its pages are some of the darkest and ugliest episodes of the human story; but in the darkness and ugliness of its pages the beauty of the Divine breaks forth.
The church offered an excellent environment in which to raise our sons in the faith of Christ. From their earliest days, our sons went to church. In church they learned the faith, learned to pray, and learned to trust God. The church offered them a place to play. They learned to ride bikes and skateboard in the church parking lot; and they played in the baptistry. The church offered them opportunities to serve and work. They cleaned the buildings and mowed lawns. They worked youth camps since they were twelve years old. The church offered them a place to discover their gifts. Both of our sons are talented musicians and natural leaders. Those gifts were developed in the church.
The church has been a place of grace. Through the years, I have discovered profound examples of grace in the common people of the church. The church is the place where I discovered love and wisdom, patience and goodness, accountability and forgiveness. I have witnessed anger and betrayal give way to the possibilities offered by grace. I have seen troubled marriages healed as husband and wife washed each others feet. I have often been amazed by those who, after working 40-50 hours a week to earn a living, make the time to teach boys and girls, lead youth retreats, visit the elderly, and do the ministry that makes the church work.
The church has been the sacred space in which I have encountered God. My most profound spiritual experiences have been in worship with the people of God in the sacred spaces of the church. I have wept and repented in the altars of the church. I have encountered Christ at the Communion table. I have rejoiced as the worshiping saints shout and dance. One of the most profound worship experiences was during a Good Friday service at a Presbyterian church. The church orchestra was playing Were You There When They Crucified My Lord. The highlight of the performance was a solo by the cellist. The cello moaned, and as it moaned I could hear the moans of Christ on the cross and I was moved to moaning and weeping. The beauty of the art and icons, music and liturgy, and architecture of the church is nothing less than awesome and inspiring.
The church has provided a vision of mission, justice, and redemption that offers hope to all humanity. Anyone who is aware of human history and current events despairs of justice and peace for humanity. The vision of the church as God’s people representing every tongue and tribe, redeemed through Jesus Christ, is God’s remedy for the despair of this present age. It is this eschatological vision of hope that should serve as our model and motivation as we declare the Gospel in this present age. I have witnessed Christians throughout the world offer acts of generosity and mercy to the poor and suffering. The disciples of Jesus have given their resources, and even their lives in the service of humanity. In union with Christ, all redeemed humanity shares in God’s life.
I am not naive. The church is not perfect (nor am I). I could write about my many disappointments with the church, about its corruption, its sinfulness. In fact, that’s what many of the apostolic writers did! Paul had no problem calling the Corinthian church to account for its sinfulness. James boldly called his disciples to forsake their petty quarrels for the greater purpose of the Gospel. Anyone familiar with the New Testament, or the history of the church, understands that there has never been a pristine, or perfect church. The church will be perfected – glorified – only in the eschaton. Until then we must continue to confess our sins, wash one another’s feet, and hold each other accountable.
I guess that’s what is so amazing. In the midst of such brokenness there is Christ! In the midst of self-righteousness there is the righteousness of Christ. In the midst of bigotry, there is the love of Christ. In the midst of schism there is unity in Christ. In the midst of heresy, there is the truth of Christ. In the midst of suffering, there is the comfort of Christ. In the midst of blindness, there is the light of Christ. In the midst of injustice, there is hope in Christ. In the midst of death, there is life in Christ. That’s why I love the church – because she is the body of Christ!
