Someone once said, “Be careful what you say about the church….remember you’re talking about Christ’s bride.” Unfortunately church bashing is more popular than ever.
Social media posts are filled daily with complaints about the church. And it’s having an effect….college students are leaving by the thousands.
In an article for crosswalk.com blogger and speaker Lori Hatcher offers five reasons to stop bashing the church:
First, – Because Jesus Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. He didn’t love online communities, parachurch organizations, or social clubs. He loved the church—so much that He died for it.
Next – Because churches are made up of imperfect people like you and me. Immature, selfish, inconsiderate, and sometimes rude. Loving, caring, sacrificial, and sometimes beautiful. We are flawed and frail, but little by little, God is changing us and making us more like Jesus.
Third – You cannot separate Jesus from the church. The book of Acts is a glorious testimony of how Christ sent disciples everywhere to establish local congregations of believers.
Fourth – Untold numbers have died for the privilege of meeting together to worship God. To forsake the free exercise of our right to assemble as a church is a slap in the face to those who long for and died for this privilege.
And finally – The church was God’s idea. Jesus told Peter, “… you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church”He promised to sustain and protect it, “and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”