I was hanging out with a friend the other day, we were chatting, our kiddos were swimming and playing together, and it was just a fun, warm, sunny, summer day. I said something about the church, as I frequently do, and this time she didn’t just “uh-huh” me. This time she listened. This time she asked questions, engaged, and shared.

Like many people, my friend “believes” in God, but she’s not serving God, she hasn’t turned her life over to him. As far as people go, she’s a good person, even though she’s not a Christian in the true sense of the word.

My friend didn’t grow up going to church, though she went a few times with friends. And that’s not something she’s done as an adult either. But now she has kids. And she admitted she thinks they should have that experience ~ after all, how can they choose for themselves if they aren’t even exposed to it. And it’s supposed to be good for families. But…

She doesn’t believe in “organized religion,” because there are too many hypocrites. She knows too many “church people” who say one thing, but behave completely differently. It’s not about drinking, smoking, tattoos, listening to the wrong kind of music, or any other “thing” that churchy people love to get their panties in a bunch over. It’s more like snobbery, judgment, gossip, lying, cheating, etc.

My response? You’ll love it… well, actually, you’ll probably hate it, but whatever… What I told her is basically this… I’m a Christian, and I read my Bible, and I love Jesus, but as a whole, I pretty much can’t stand Christians. I told her I understood how she felt, and there’s a lot of truth to it. But there’s much more to going to church than that. And we talked a little more, and I think her family will end up visiting our church with us, but I knew that she knew that I heard her. And I didn’t pressure her, push her, or judge her.

What I didn’t say to her is this: I believe Christians to be one of the greatest hindrances to Christ. I really do. The way Christians attack each other, gossip (in the name of prayer, of course), pass judgment on even the stupidest of things, lie, sow dissension, and act thoroughly self-righteous, is quite frankly nauseating. Oh, but if there’s a need, they’ll bring a casserole (and make sure everyone knows it), so that makes it all okay. Wrong.

Though our hearts should be pure, open, and loving when we go to church, it’s not always that way. There is often goodness, helpfulness, and a welcoming spirit in a church congregation. But there’s also something darker… more deceptive at play as well. On the downside… there are people who use the church to make fashion statements, and if you don’t look or dress a certain way, then you just don’t belong. Others view the church as a popularity contest ~ it’s like they’re finally getting high school right, only they’re now in their 30’s, 40’s, or 50’s ~ and if you’re not in, well, then you’re out.

People in the church, just like outside of the church, have agendas. Some are jockeying for position, some want power and see church titles as giving them that, some want the spotlight and all they need is to be on stage.

None of these things are the right reasons for being in church. BUT… None of them are reasons to avoid church either. See, the church is for all of us. And we’re all broken, flawed sinners. Truthfully,  in the church, there are more people who honestly love and serve God with a pure heart, than there are people who are there for their own selfish reasons, swimming in their own sanctimony. We just tend to remember more the ones who hurt us, or who offer a poor representation of who Jesus is.

Yes, there are hypocrites in the church. There are liars, thieves, adulterers, and snobs in the church. There are people filled with pride, arrogance, and judgment too (basically, sanctimonious jerks). But don’t let that keep you from the church. There is much good, love, compassion, support, and friendship within the church as well.

When people know, or believe, we are Christians, but our actions are un-Christlike, we not only turn people away from the church, we also turn them away from Christ. We need to go to church for Jesus. We need to look for those who represent Him and be wary of the ones who don’t. And always make it our mission to be one of the ones that represent Him, not one who doesn’t. Leave all that other stuff, the dark stuff, for Him to sort out. He will.