Church has been Hard
This season has been hard in our churches. If it hasn’t been for you, I’m so glad. Maybe just skip this post and go on with your day?
If you’re continuing on with me, maybe it has been hard for you? I’ve seen enough of the emails and social media posts to be aware of the hurt, sadness, frustration, and anger that is swirling around. I can understand much of it.
I know that there are those who have been deeply wounded by the church. I’ve seen too many headlines about shameful abuses of power that I wonder why I’m still surprised by them. In case anyone reading this finds themselves in that kind of sorrow, this post isn’t really directed to you. My prayer for you is that you will find a safe space to heal.
This post is for those who just feel frustrated with what has happened, with where things are, and are wondering how to move forward.
Though I’ve spent my whole life immersed in the church, I’ve struggled with us during this season too. I’ve struggled with what has been revealed about the depth of our discipleship in the midst of these trials. I’ve felt broken-hearted at how easily our unity crumbles. I’ve lamented the damage we’ve done to our witness in the world.
But, I can’t give up on us. And why? Because of something I saw in the book of Revelation.
This mysterious book at the end of our Bibles has scared me off for most of my life. As a kid, I saw the freaky “end times” movies meant to terrify you into the baptistery. I read all of the “Left Behind” books when they were popular. I’ve heard people use the imagery in Revelation to predict the time of the rapture and discern who might be the antichrist, even though if you actually read Revelation there is no rapture and no mention of the antichrist. It all just seemed so unknowable to me so I didn’t bother.
But this past year, I decided to dig in to try and discover for myself why this book is in the Bible and what it might have for us today, and wow! I have found so much that strengthens my resolve to follow Jesus.
Revelation is a pastoral letter. The writer, John, is sharing the visions he has seen with seven churches in the province of Asia (1:4). He has been separated from them due to his exile on the island of Patmos (1:9). And let me tell you, these churches have problems.
In John’s vision, Jesus instructs him to write to each of the churches, and Jesus doesn’t hold back.
To the church in Ephesus, Jesus says: “You have forsaken the love you had at first!” (2:4)
To the church in Pergamum, he warns: “You are holding onto false teachings!” (2:14-15)
To the church in Thyatira, Jesus laments: “You are tolerating immorality!” (2:20-23)
To the church in Sardis, he declares: “You have a reputation for being alive, but you’re dead!” (3:1)
To the Church in Laodicea, Jesus exclaims, “You are lukewarm, and I am about to spit you out of my mouth!” (3:16)
Yikes. Those churches were messed up. And strangely, I find some comfort in that. Think about it. Most scholars date Revelation near the end of the reign of the Emperor Domitian, who ruled from 81-96 AD. That means less than 70 years after Jesus ascended back to the Father, the church was already full of problems. You would have thought we could have stuck with Jesus’ vision longer than that.
Yet, despite all of the hypocrisy, apathy, and immorality, where is Jesus?
If you turn back to Revelation chapter 1, you find the answer. The revelation John receives begins with a vision of Jesus. John describes what he sees:
“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.” -Revelation 1:12-13
John sees Jesus. And where is Jesus standing? Among the seven golden lampstands. A few verses later, we are told: “…the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” (1:20)
Where is Jesus? Standing among the imperfect churches.
Despite our hypocrisy, despite our apathy, despite our immorality, despite our anemic discipleship, despite our disunity, despite all the ways we malign his name; Jesus chooses to be present with his church. His perseverance demonstrates the depths of his love. His patience reveals the extent of his grace. He will not abandon us.
And so I will not give up on the church either because I want to be where Jesus stands, and he stands among us, the imperfect churches.
Together, may we open our eyes to his presence. May we return our allegiance to him and him alone. May we extend his grace, forgiveness, and love to one another. May we learn to follow King Jesus in the ways of his Kingdom as his Kingdom Community. May we become the church he dreams we can be.
