Can't find the perfect church?

It seems that some are always in pursuit of the perfect church. Perhaps that's where you are at today as you read this blog entry. You've driven to every assembly within a 30 mile radius of your home, and yet you still are left wanting. It seems the perfect blend of preaching, congregational friendliness, music, and programs is nowhere to be found. So.... saint of God, what are you to do?

Well...as strange as it may seem- take heart! A quick panoramic view of the New Testament reveals that even in Paul's day the church was filled with imperfect people. Let's briefly survey the situation:

The Galatians were dealing with rampant legalism
The Corinthians were dealing with idolatry, immorality, and a general lack of love
The Thessalonians seemed preoccupied with eschatology at the expense of daily labor
The Romans seemed to be struggling with cultural problems (Jew/Gentile relations)
The Colossians were battling heresy regarding the supremacy of Christ
The Philippians were trying to mediate a conflict between two well-known women (Philippians 4:2)

I'll stop there (I could go on...really I could :) ).

What is your point Henry? (I know that's what some of you are thinking, so I just verbalized that for you- wasn't that nice of me?) Well- my point is not that God endorsed these sinful behaviors. In fact, it's exactly the opposite- the Holy Spirit moved upon Paul (and the other writers of the New Testament) to correct and rebuke those who were in error and warn them of the dangers of sinful disobedience. The point I'm trying to make is that even the first century church with all of its zeal and power (remember many of those in the early church had been eyewitnesses of the Lord's resurrection and were eyewitnesses to the Day of Pentecost)- there were problems! If you're looking for a perfect church, then I'm afraid you're on a never-ending quest dear friend (sorry to break the news to you!).

Now some will read this post and think "Henry's telling me it's ok to go to a church that preaches false doctrine because after all...nobody's perfect." (WRONG AGAIN- don't you love how I anticipate your questions and answer them? I think that's called diatribe....but I digress). As a matter of fact I believe exactly the opposite- I think you should run (not walk) from a church preaching/teaching false doctrine or one that is tolerant/celebratory of immoral behavior from it's membership. Some folks will forever use the argument that the church is full of hypocrites- well certainly they are among us- but how many hypocrites do you work with every day? How many of them do you eat in restaurants with? Shop in grocery stores with? Jesus picked 12 disciples and one of them was a devil. Surely you won't hold it against the church if a few hypocrites sneak in and worship on Sunday mornings?

Someone forwarded an e-mail to me today and I thought I would share some of it with you today:


Don't let your worries get the
Best of you, remember, Moses started
Out as a basket case.
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Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited
Until you try to sit in their pews.
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Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.
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It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
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People are funny; they want the
Front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of
the church.
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Quit griping about your
Church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
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If the church wants a
Better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
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Some minds are like concrete
Thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
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I don't know why some people
Change churches; what difference does
It make which one you stay home From?
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A lot of church members who
Are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on
the premises.
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Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
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Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
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Forbidden fruits create many jams.
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God loves everyone, but probably prefers
"fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"
>>>>> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

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