God's Hands And Feet

“They worshipped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

Acts 2:46-47 (NLT)

I've been struggling with how to convey my heart on this topic, and I almost trashed this blog post idea until I came across a post on Instagram that reaffirmed that I didn't think up this idea by myself and God wants us, the body of Christ, to shape up.

I have been a member of several 'Christian Communities', some better than others. I really enjoyed being a member of some, but I've noticed a trend that has always bothered me about many 'Christian Communities'. And by 'Christian Communities' I'm not only referring to 'churches', although 'churches' have been the biggest culprit in the trends I noticed.

The post I came across was from Solomon Buchi on Instagram asking people why they stopped attending church. That post has over a thousand comments as at the time I am typing this post and many of them are filled with people's experiences with how 'church' hurt, and insensitivity led them to leave the faith. I say 'church' because what we call 'church' these days is not the church. The church is the body of Christ. Not a building where people gather to worship and certainly not a denomination.

This post might feel like a callout. But please know that I am calling myself out as well. Also, I hope you feel the love and pain with which I write this post.

The verse quoted at the beginning was about the early church; the early church in Acts and the church now are such a stark difference. And that's the problem. 'Church' these days looks more like a business, an organisation, than a body. I find that many 'churches' care more about numbers and money than about the actual souls God has entrusted in their care.

I remember when I was working in a ministry, we had to give reports on the number of people that were present at Sunday service from the areas assigned to us. It might sound like a noble thing, but the report only focused on the number of people that came and the offering collected during fellowship. People got scolded for failing to bring in the expected number of people and offering. However, the souls of the people were not cared for. It's so funny how we, who are meant to be the light, seem to be spewing the most darkness.

I also saw MoChunk's video (on YouTube) about the way she was treated when she left a denomination, and I can relate to a lot of the things she said. One day, maybe I'll tell the story. But this just showed me that we have many cults out there parading as 'churches'. If someone approaches you to say they want to leave your ministry, you pray for them and wish them the best on their journey. God did not call us to castigate anyone leaving a denomination. After all, leaving a ministry does not equal forsaking God. Even if the person says they no longer believe in Jesus, we are called to love regardless.

There are so many things I could have highlighted in this post but the most frustrating of them all is the lack of love and compassion. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that if we do the most noble things without love, they mean nothing. Many people in ministries and 'churches' are not motivated by love and it shows. Jesus said that the world will know we are His by our love. John 13:35. In John 15:12, Jesus commands us to love each other the same way He loved us.

I understand that as humans, we are flawed and are sometimes unable to show the love required of us. But I need us to understand that souls are dependent on the love we show. God is depending on us to be His hands and feet on this earth. People are turning away daily from the faith because of 'church' hurt and if this doesn't break your heart, I know it breaks God's heart.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

Let's all do better. And God knows how flawed we are as humans and that’s why we have the Holy Spirit, to empower us to live out God's will. Please listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and connect with people in your community with the love of God. Be a listener, reach out to the forgotten members of your church, be an encourager to the downtrodden, help as you are led and let love be your watchword. Romans 12.

I pray that God helps us all and we accept His help to be accurate representations of God on this earth. Let's do all we can to see souls return to Christ.

I love you and God loves you more.