Church. Some have stuck it out, some have found another church and some have just plain given up on church all together! Sam Chand says "The difference between reality and expectation is conflict."

The expectation is that the pastors are perfect or that the church is perfect. The reality is the minute any one person walks into a church, it becomes imperfect. The difference: Conflict!

I will never forget years ago, when I was smacked in the face with this reality. I held my pastors up on a pedestal, until I got close enough to them to realize they had faults and failures just like me. Not only were they not perfect, the ministries of the church were not perfect! I had ideas of what could be improved, and found myself standing on the sidelines complaining and finger-pointing.

I listened to a message that week by TD Jakes. He said "The very thing that bugs you, is the very thing you are called to." What a thought...you mean the thing that I am vehement about is the role I was meant to fill? You mean I actually have to be the change I want to see?! What a concept! Ghandi says "Be the change you want to see in the world." I say, do that...and include the church!

My husband and I had a decision to make. We could stick it out, find another church or give up on church altogether. I suppose the other option would be to start our own church...but you better have a strong desire and calling for that one! We have neither! As you can imagine we stuck it out. Our years of choosing to "be the change" turned into the most fruitful years of our lives. Not only did we grow, but we were helping others grow and experiencing great joy and fulfillment in the process. While many can look back on their church experiences with a bad taste in their mouth, we have nothing bad to say. It was not perfect and it was full of imperfect people, but we decided to become too busy helping people to notice.

Is the church missing so many vital elements because the gap-fillers became angry spectators? Do we have holes in the ministry because passionate and gifted people have simply allowed bitterness and offense to creep into their hearts? What would the church look like if those who had a passion for the poor didn’t get mad a the church for not reaching the poor, but instead started to lead by example? I have seen successful ministries started from one person just trying to be the change within the four walls of an imperfect church!

I hear many stories from offended and hurt people. I am not saying some of those stories weren’t justified...there are certain situations when such serious immorality and injustice is taking place that it is much better that the person find another church! There are certian churches that are not leading people in the right direction and even Jesus became indignant with these (Matthew 21:12-14).

For those that have given up on church all-together, does that mean your salvation is in question? No! The church doesn’t save you, Jesus does. Our very own pastor, Ben Brinkman says "Going to church doesn’t save you, but it sure helps keep you saved." He compared it to going on dates with his wife. Was going on dates what got him married? It helped, but no. However, going on dates with his wife will sure help keep him married! For those that are against "organized religion" I pray that it doesn’t hinder your relationship with Him, but I do believe that finding the right community of believers provides great support and strength.

Acts 2: 42-47 gives us a great model of what church is supposed to look like, and it is a model that URBAN strives to follow;

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Hopefully you have chosen to join us at URBAN, but if you decide to search for another place of worship, find one that follows this pattern and remember to be the change!

Thanks for reading and responding!
Melissa Miller