I don’t think that is the message of this article but I fear that the tone, particularly that of the imaginary scenario given above, as illustrative and poignant as it may be, might be encouraging a dangerously negative and judgmental, and might I say prideful attitude.

The Lord has recently been convicting my heart particularly of my own personal judgmental and condemning attitude, my lack of mercy and compassion. I think this came from having “high” and selfish expectations from church, being disappointed that it fell short of “The Church.”

I have come to see that as long as I am on this earth, I am to be His servant, to do the work that The Father is doing. Everywhere is a mission field in some respect (I know I am not technically using the term correctly)– can we say even churches — since there are non-believers there, weak believers, new believers, etc. I am grateful that “even in” organized religion/churches there are also co-laborers, those in whom the Spirit is active and working. I would hope that the latter would at least be in the majority, since I don’t expect that we can fairly expect perfection until we reach Heaven, when only then will we be able to surround ourselves with The True Church.

May we take this article as a caution and wake-up call to our own faith and worship and not let it harden our hearts against the very ones for whom we are called to love and serve all to His glory and for His Kingdom.

It is important to distinguish between “church” and “The True Church” but I’d hate to see in the process that our hearts end up hardened against the very people for whom we should have compassion and are called to love and serve. There can be power, great blessing, potential for growth and mutual sharpening, fruit, and a beautiful and powerful witness in a tangible body of believers “even if” organized to meet in a building, etc.

Please pray for me and my husband. I am secretary of a little baptist church here in NH and he is the head deacon. I am finding fulfillment in the job as I serve Jesus there, but am also frustrated. Our “services” leave me feeling cold, empty, and that I have just experienced an intellectual exercise in futility. My hubby is equally empty, and we are both torn because of the positions we find ourselves in. We love our young pastor as our brother in Christ, but…well you know. This is our “family”
and we have wonderful deep relationships there. My most important relationship is Jesus…oh how I look forward to seeing Him face to face, having a “sit down”, crawling up into his lap and just absorbing Him! At 65 years of age, I am closer to that day! Sometimes feel like I just want to count the minutes, but also be faithful while I wait!

Thank you for this site, and for the encouragement of it. There is much here to read and absorb…this, along with others of the same mind, may be the source that I need at this point of my earthly walk!

God bless you and your family Chip!
Pam Greaves