In the ever-evolving landscape of modern Christianity, the topic of belonging within the church has become a complex and deeply personal conversation. As a community, we find ourselves grappling with the tension between the church's divine purpose and the very real human experiences that have led many to question their place within its walls.
The statistics are sobering—over the last 25 years, an estimated 40 million Americans have left the church. For some, the reasons are simple: life got too busy, schedules became overwhelming, and the allure of a more individualized spiritual journey proved too tempting to resist. But for others, the decision to walk away was rooted in a much deeper well of pain and disillusionment.
Betrayed trust, relational brokenness, spiritual abuse, and harmful teachings have all taken a toll, leaving scars that are not easily healed. It's no wonder, then, that the question "Why church?" has become a refrain echoed in the hearts and minds of so many.
Yet, as we grapple with this reality, we cannot ignore the foundational truth that the church was not our creation, but God's. Jesus himself declared, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the powers of hell will not conquer it." This promise, wrapped in the inherent brokenness of the human experience, serves as a reminder that the church's story is far more complex than any one individual's narrative.
The beauty of belonging, as described in the Scriptures, is rooted in the very nature of our God—a God of perfect community, who has designed us to find our truest sense of self in relationship with one another. We are made to belong, not just to the divine, but to the family of believers.
This familial metaphor, woven throughout the New Testament, paints a vivid picture of the church as a tapestry of diverse individuals, each contributing their unique threads to the greater whole. We are not isolated strands, but interdependent members of a larger body, destined to experience the fullness of life and the presence of God through our connections with one another.
However, as with any family, the path to true belonging is not without its challenges. Belonging is messy; it takes persistent effort and commitment.
The early church, as described in the book of Acts, was no stranger to this messiness. Division, power struggles, and the need for constant reminders to love one another were all part of the fabric of that community. And yet, despite these very human obstacles, the vision of the church as a beacon of belonging endured.
This is a powerful reminder that the church is not a perfect institution, but rather a living, breathing embodiment of humanity in all its complexity. And it is precisely in this messiness that we find the opportunity for growth, healing, and transformation.
As we navigate the realities of belonging within the church, we must be willing to confront the pain and betrayal that have led so many to walk away. We cannot simply sweep these concerns under the rug, as that would be a disservice to those who have been deeply wounded. Instead, we must make space for real hurt, demand accountability, and work toward genuine reconciliation.
At the same time, we must hold fast to the promise that the church is not ours, but Christ's. It is he who has pledged to build it, and it is he who will ensure that the "powers of hell will not conquer it." This message of hope and encouragement reminds us that even amid the church's brokenness, God's plan remains steadfast and true.
As we engage with this complex and deeply personal topic, let us do so with humility, grace, and a renewed commitment to the family of God. Let us be willing to be fully known and truly loved, even in the midst of the mess. Let us persist in our efforts to build genuine community, recognizing that the day of the Lord's return is drawing ever closer.
And above all, let us remember that the church is not about us, but about the fulfillment of God's grand plan. Our role is not to control or manage, but to submit to its divine purpose and to play our part in building a community of belonging that reflects the heart of our Savior.
The beauty and brokenness of belonging within the church is a reality that we cannot ignore. But it is in this very tension that we find the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the gospel—a power that transcends time and space, and binds us together as the family of God.
*Purchase David Kim's book, Made to Belong
The statistics are sobering—over the last 25 years, an estimated 40 million Americans have left the church. For some, the reasons are simple: life got too busy, schedules became overwhelming, and the allure of a more individualized spiritual journey proved too tempting to resist. But for others, the decision to walk away was rooted in a much deeper well of pain and disillusionment.
Betrayed trust, relational brokenness, spiritual abuse, and harmful teachings have all taken a toll, leaving scars that are not easily healed. It's no wonder, then, that the question "Why church?" has become a refrain echoed in the hearts and minds of so many.
Yet, as we grapple with this reality, we cannot ignore the foundational truth that the church was not our creation, but God's. Jesus himself declared, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the powers of hell will not conquer it." This promise, wrapped in the inherent brokenness of the human experience, serves as a reminder that the church's story is far more complex than any one individual's narrative.
The beauty of belonging, as described in the Scriptures, is rooted in the very nature of our God—a God of perfect community, who has designed us to find our truest sense of self in relationship with one another. We are made to belong, not just to the divine, but to the family of believers.
This familial metaphor, woven throughout the New Testament, paints a vivid picture of the church as a tapestry of diverse individuals, each contributing their unique threads to the greater whole. We are not isolated strands, but interdependent members of a larger body, destined to experience the fullness of life and the presence of God through our connections with one another.
However, as with any family, the path to true belonging is not without its challenges. Belonging is messy; it takes persistent effort and commitment.
The early church, as described in the book of Acts, was no stranger to this messiness. Division, power struggles, and the need for constant reminders to love one another were all part of the fabric of that community. And yet, despite these very human obstacles, the vision of the church as a beacon of belonging endured.
This is a powerful reminder that the church is not a perfect institution, but rather a living, breathing embodiment of humanity in all its complexity. And it is precisely in this messiness that we find the opportunity for growth, healing, and transformation.
As we navigate the realities of belonging within the church, we must be willing to confront the pain and betrayal that have led so many to walk away. We cannot simply sweep these concerns under the rug, as that would be a disservice to those who have been deeply wounded. Instead, we must make space for real hurt, demand accountability, and work toward genuine reconciliation.
At the same time, we must hold fast to the promise that the church is not ours, but Christ's. It is he who has pledged to build it, and it is he who will ensure that the "powers of hell will not conquer it." This message of hope and encouragement reminds us that even amid the church's brokenness, God's plan remains steadfast and true.
As we engage with this complex and deeply personal topic, let us do so with humility, grace, and a renewed commitment to the family of God. Let us be willing to be fully known and truly loved, even in the midst of the mess. Let us persist in our efforts to build genuine community, recognizing that the day of the Lord's return is drawing ever closer.
And above all, let us remember that the church is not about us, but about the fulfillment of God's grand plan. Our role is not to control or manage, but to submit to its divine purpose and to play our part in building a community of belonging that reflects the heart of our Savior.
The beauty and brokenness of belonging within the church is a reality that we cannot ignore. But it is in this very tension that we find the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the gospel—a power that transcends time and space, and binds us together as the family of God.
*Purchase David Kim's book, Made to Belong
Posted in Relationships
Posted in relationships, community, belonging, brokenness, jesus, God, made to belong, pain, church hurt
Posted in relationships, community, belonging, brokenness, jesus, God, made to belong, pain, church hurt