Do you have a problem with people or with God? That is a fair question.
I have read and listened to numerous accounts of people dropping out of the faith, or more specifically the church, because of something egregious that happened to them within its walls. Usually, it seems, the reasons are related to people’s actions and not God’s.
To be fair, though, life can be especially crushing for some. Domestic abuse, physical suffering, tragedy, and many other incomprehensible fates have caused legitimate questioning of God’s provision, protection, and presence in one’s life.
But more likely, it is people who have caused the divide for the previously churched. And that is unfortunate.
Sometimes church people are too rigid, sometimes they are too permissive, and sometimes they simply “know not what they do”.
But is this failure of both clergy and the rank-and-file membership grounds enough for jettisoning a devout faith in God? If so, then a closer examination of one’s understanding of the Christian experience and life is in order.
In my decades long ministry, I have encountered people who fall into categories that scarcely resemble a Christian ethic. Sometimes they need correction, sometimes they instruction, and sometimes they need an epiphany to bring them to a humility that is more Christ-like.
At the same time, I have met the most sacrificing, beautiful, and warm souls one could ever imagine. Many in this camp came from a personal background that was far and away from the precepts of the faith. And yet, they overcame, prevailed, and have served to the betterment of society.
So, yes, it can most certainly be people who are off-putting. I will stipulate this. But is this reason enough to forego worshipping God corporately? If your answer is yes, then again, is your soul’s eternity determined by how others behave?
To me, it seems an easy excuse to lump all Christian actions together just so that one can justify their own unwillingness to observe meaningful worship. If I attend a football or baseball game and some unruly fans are offensive, do I then decide that attendance at such events is no longer fun, enjoyable, and more so, meaningful? Do I stop liking my team? Not likely.
Look, anyone who has read my articles with any regularity knows that I can be quite hard on the failings of church leaders and the community writ large. And to be sure, for good reason.
But these messes we get ourselves into are a part of the deal. If we could master all the ethical and moral standards espoused by the Bible, then Christ would not be necessary. However, we cannot.
So, what really is the problem?
Is it the low hanging fruit of human failures that dissuades one from corporate worship or is it something more, something worthy of a closer look?
Go or don’t go to church. You’re call. But don’t blame your opportunity to experience the Divine on whether another is lacking.
Make sure you know what the problem is.
Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ.
