In December of 2021, I went back to my hometown to attend the funeral of a lifelong friend. While I was there, I stopped by St. Paul’s Lutheran—the church I grew up in. Sunday services were letting out, so my husband and I went in to look around and say hello. As we walked in, I was delighted to see the father of one of my classmates. Thirty years had passed, but Mr. Billings hugged me and caught me up on the past three decades. I walked through the sanctuary and down the halls to the Sunday School rooms I’d sat in as a kid. Memories of Vacation Bible School flooded back, and I could taste my Kool-Aid-stained lips as my classmates and I rehearsed the songs we’d sing for our families at the VBS program.
Much has been said and written about the decline of the church in America. Attendance has been dropping for years, and many more have not returned since the pandemic. Lifeway Christian research reported that in 2022, 68 percent of Americans seldom or never attended church, 32 percent attend monthly, and only 27 percent attend more than once a month.[1]
There are several contributors. Some people fell out of the habit of going to church during the pandemic, others have left because they have been hurt by the church, and there’s an increasing number of Americans who identify as nonreligious. Nearly 3 in 10 American adults say they have no religious preference. Recently, I’ve spoken with friends who used to be active members of the local church and now have no plans to return. If you find yourself in that scenario, I believe there’s good reason to reconsider.
That morning, in my hometown, I returned to a place where God worked in my young heart. St. Paul’s is where my toddler hands first flipped through a children’s Bible and my young ears heard the gospel preached. It was there—at church—where I heard the words I most desperately needed to hear. Later in life, church was where I met other believers—and my closest friends. And of course, church is the primary place to worship in a community of believers. In church, you’ll have the distinct privilege of sitting in the pew next to people with rough edges. You’ll love some of them and others will habitually annoy you. I believe God intends for it to be that way. Why? Because living alongside people in the context of community is one of the main ways we mature as believers.
Undoubtedly, mistakes and sins have been committed in the church that need to be addressed locally and at the denominational level. I’m not suggesting anyone stay in a church setting that isn’t emotionally and physically safe. But, for those who identify as Christians, now is the time to rethink our commitment to the local church. If you’ve been hurt by your church, perhaps you need to change locations, but ultimately—you need the church, and the church needs you. For several reasons, in-person worship is preferable, but for those of you who can’t yet bring yourself to darken the door, consider taking the first step of watching online—and take it from there. The enemy of our souls would love nothing better than to keep God’s children out of church (1 Peter 5:8-10). He wants us alone and vulnerable—isolated from other believers.
Is the church in America flawed? Without a doubt. Any organization with people in it is flawed, and the church is no exception. Will you get your feelings hurt on occasion? Yes, probably so. The church is made up of sinners, like me and you—who need a Savior. Christians do dumb things sometimes. But so do the people in your social media feeds, bowling league, book club, civic group, and any other organization you belong to. Don’t allow a few poorly behaved people to cause you to forfeit your house of worship—it’s an unthinkable notion.
Eugene Peterson wrote, “One of the seductions that interferes with mature Christians living is the construction of utopias, ideal places where we can live the good life totally without inconvenience.”[2] So keep in mind there is no ideal church or place to live out the Christian life. That’s coming—but it won’t happen for us until we get to heaven and see Jesus face-to-face. Until then, we press on. If you’re unsure where you belong, I encourage you to pray for guidance, then pick a flawed church (because there aren’t any other kind), and commit to it.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25).
[1] https://research.lifeway.com/2023/06/15/reversing-the-shrinking-share-of-americans-who-regularly-attend-church/#:~:text=By%202021%2C%2067%25%20of%20Americans,18%25%20attending%20at%20least%20weekly.
[2] Eugene H. Peterson, As Kingfishers Catch Fire, (Waterbrook, 2017, p.223).
2 Responses
Hi Susan, a brilliant post from Dec 2021, and very much appreciated in my book. Too many pilgrims as I call the followers of Christ Jesus have known disappointment and put down in many aspects of church life, or even by fellow Christians on a more personal level, of which I am one. Unfortunately what can come into play is the negative thinking of throwing the baby out with the bath water. Major mistake, but the good and righteous Lord does not leave us in our hurt or our haughtiness, no, because his word is, as He said is like a double edge sword that cuts right through to the bone and as believers it is impossible to ignore. This belief the good Lord has in each and every one of his followers leaves us in no doubt that we can run for a while but we have to confront our standing with Him at some point, because as Christians we truly appreciate the sacrificing of His very life for us His children.
So for those Christians who have been emotionally hurt or are just back sliding or are definitely intending to get to church next Sunday, don’t delay any longer time is getting short and our heavenly father is waiting patiently with open arms and great joy to welcome us back to the Triune God.
Ronnie.
This is great insight, Ronnie. Thanks for reading!