A few thoughts on your search for the “perfect” church:
1. If you think you found one, don’t walk in…its “perfectness” will end because you’re not perfect.
2. If you think you won’t ruin it, the pastor will…he’s not perfect.
3. If you think the pastor is perfect, just wait…the children’s ministry isn’t perfect.
4. If you think the children’s ministry is perfect, don’t worry…your small group leader isn’t perfect.
5. If you think your small group leader is perfect, give it some time…the people in your group will begin to annoy you, because they’re not perfect.
6. If you think the people in your group are perfect, it’s ok…the worship pastor isn’t perfect, so the music will probably be too loud.
7. If you think the worship pastor is perfect, and you love his loud music, hold on…the student ministry won’t be perfect.
8. …the greeters aren’t perfect.
9. …the parking isn’t perfect.
10. …the coffee isn’t perfect.

If you’re looking for the perfect church you’re doing a number of things:
First, you’re holding others to a standard that you yourself can’t/don’t live up to. This is called a “double standard”. How? The Church is a community of broken people in the process of being transformed together by Jesus. For an imperfect person to expect perfection from others is an unfair and unrealistic double standard.

Second, you’re working yourself into an isolated and lonely position. If no one or no place is ever good enough then in the end your only option is yourself. The expectation of perfection in others will ultimately leave you very alone.

Third, you’re leaving a string of hurt people in your wake as you sail from one church to another. People will genuinely want to care for you and invite you into their communities within the church. Either your outright rejection of them or your temporary involvement and abrupt leaving will leave them confused and hurt.

Finally…if you have kids, you’re teaching them to do just the same with the body of Christ.

There is no such thing as a perfect church. This does not give the church an excuse to be lazy in fulfilling its responsibilities as an agent for the caring, shepherding, equipping and sending of God’s people. This does mean, however, that to expect something from the church that the church was never intended to deliver on is unfair, unrealistic, and unbiblical.

So what should you look for when prayerfully discerning what church body God is leading you and/or your family to? Coming soon…

Tags: church, church hopping, church shopping, perfect church

This entry was posted on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 3:16 pm and is filed under General News and Info.