4 Ways to Love a Disappointing Church: Prayer, Service, Forgiveness, and Gr

Four Ways to Love a Disappointing Church

As a Christian, the Church is not just a building or a group of people. The Church is the body of Christ, and loving the Church is an essential part of our faith. However, what do you do when the Church you attend disappoints you?

It can be hard to love a Church that isn’t meeting your expectations. You may feel like you don’t belong, or that you’re not being fed spiritually. You may even be hurt by the actions of your fellow Church members. But despite all of this, we are called to love the Church. Here are four ways to love a disappointing Church:

1. Pray for the Church

Prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have as Christians. When we pray for our Church, we invite God’s presence and guidance into the situation. We can pray for the leaders of the Church, that they would have wisdom and discernment in their decisions. We can pray for the members of the Church, that they would be filled with the love of Christ and that their hearts would be softened. We can pray for ourselves, that we would have a heart of love and forgiveness towards our fellow Church members.

It’s important to remember that the Church is made up of imperfect people, and that includes us. We all make mistakes, and we all fall short of God’s glory. But through prayer, we can ask God to work in us and in our Church to bring about healing and unity.

2. Serve in the Church

One way to love a disappointing Church is to serve in it. When we serve, we take the focus off of ourselves and put it on others. We can use our gifts and talents to bless our fellow Church members and to bring glory to God. Serving in the Church also gives us a sense of purpose and belonging.

There are many ways to serve in the Church, whether it’s through volunteering for a ministry, leading a small group, or simply greeting people as they come in for worship. When we serve in the Church, we become a part of the solution rather than the problem.

3. Practice Forgiveness

Forgiveness is an essential part of loving the Church. When we hold onto bitterness and resentment towards our fellow Church members, we create division and disharmony. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that we ignore or condone sin, but it does mean that we choose to let go of our hurt and anger.

Jesus taught us to forgive others as we have been forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). If we have received God’s forgiveness, we are called to extend that same forgiveness to others. When we choose to forgive, we open ourselves up to God’s healing and restoration.

4. Look for the Good

It can be easy to focus on the negative aspects of a disappointing Church. However, there is always something good to be found. Look for the ways that God is working in and through your Church. Look for the people who are faithfully serving and loving others. Look for the ways that you can be a part of the positive change.

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” When we focus on the good, we cultivate a heart of gratitude and joy.

Conclusion

Loving a disappointing Church is not easy, but it is essential. We are called to love the Church, just as Christ loves the Church. By praying for the Church, serving in the Church, practicing forgiveness, and looking for the good, we can be a part of the positive change that our Church needs. Let us remember that we are all imperfect people, but through God’s grace and love, we can be transformed.

Remember what Paul wrote in Philippians 2:1-4, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Let us love the Church in all its imperfections, just as Christ loves us in all of our imperfections.