I sat with a family helping them plan their father’s funeral. Pastor’s do that sort of thing. A good man and a believer, they mentioned he did not attend church because he had been disappointed by organized religion. As they recalled their father’s good life, they were gratefully conscious of many things he had passed on to them. From what I know, most of his family - believers all - are not part of any church body. Another trait he passed along.
Usually, I sit quietly when hearing the often repeated disappointment with organized religion story. It’s a tough point to argue because some churches have behaved horribly. Possible Socratic responses race through my mind though, like, “Boy, do I know about disappointment with religion! Want to see the rope burns?” Or, “Did you realize the gospel of God’s grace isn’t really about religion?” Sometimes I want to ask, “Why didn’t that awful experience drive you to search for a good church? Couldn’t find one? Then why not start a house church or prayer group with a few good friends?” The big unasked and unanswered question for me is, “If everyone felt that way about church, who would you have called for help?” You see why it’s best to sit quietly.
Surely there are big disappointments on the job, in the classroom, at the grocery or bank - even in the family. Total disengagement is usually not the recommended path. Most don’t see walking away as the best option. Lifelong finality and rejection like that are reserved only for involvement in a local family of always fallible Jesus followers. Nobody gives up on buying gas or groceries because the clerk is a jerk.
Scripture endorses attachment to an admittedly flawed body of believers, reminding us that we forsake it to our great peril. Yet, corporate worship is abandoned by many and faithful attendance is treated as optional even by some who see value in sporadic attendance. Disappointments at work or in the home – even deep disappointments - are almost always trumped by necessity. On the job or in the family we keep at it because we must.
Those chased out of the church by disappointment may be unaware of how vital it is to be involved in the sometimes disappointing church Christ loves, built and died for.
Is it even possible to have a authentic and satifying experience with Christ, the Head while ignoring the church which is His Body?
When I encounter people who genuinely love Christ but have taken themselves out of the life of the church I grieve to think how much richer their lives would be if they invested themselves in a good church family and how enriched and encouraged other struggling believers would be by their generous investment!
Maybe the presence and prayers, giving and life sharing of a few more wounded followers of Christ would result in fewer disappointments with organized religion.
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