Painful church

I’ve got a friend who’s been a Christian for a while. She knows her Bible reasonably well. She can look back on some enthusiastic years. But now things have changed. She doesn’t look forward to church any more. Why? She’s been hurt by someone in the congregation. And she’s disillusioned by some of the policies and practises that are going on. The pain and frustration seems to have sapped every ounce of energy she used to have.

Sound familiar? It probably does. There are plenty of Christians up and down the land who struggle. There are plenty of people who can look back over a period of years and see the gradual waning of their enthusiasm. Maybe that can even be said of you?

Churches can be places of hurt and disappointment – that goes with the fact that they are comprised of sinful human beings who regularly get things wrong – and so it is easy to drift. But drift is dangerous. There has to be a better way to respond to the pain…

The Apostle Paul knew what it was like to be hurt by members of the church. He was arrested and clapped in chains for no crime other than his beliefs. It would have been good if the Christians of the area had rallied round him – fed him, clothed him, talked to him, prayed for him - but there was no such support. He wrote to his young friend, Timothy that “everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me” (2Tim 1:15). More than that, there were people who were “strongly opposing” his preaching and those who were doing Paul’s reputation a “great deal of harm” (2 Tim 4:14). What heart-rending phrases. He had told so many the good news of Christ, inspired so many to spread the word but now he was alone and incarcerated. So much for the family of God! There was no help from those people who were supposed to be modelling God’s love – they seemed more interested in kicking the man while he was down. The pain must have been searing – the situation certainly needed addressing - but the rejection didn’t stop Paul from being faithful. Paul continued to write to his converts. He continued to pray for others. He continued to be enthusiastic about the vibrancy and necessity of the gospel message. He didn’t give up.

His faith and enthusiasm didn’t stay strong because life was easy for him. It didn’t stay strong because lots of people were encouraging him. It didn’t stay strong because he was some kind of super-being who had a special hotline to God. It stayed strong for four reasons. He had:

A Realistic View of Church

Paul didn’t have some rose tinted idea of what the church is like. He knew that in the time between Christ’s death and second coming, the church would contain people who “love themselves… are proud, abusive, unholy and unforgiving” (2Tim 3:2). It’s not the way the church should be. It’s not what the church should aim to be. But, in part at least, it is the way the church is. Paul wasn’t surprised that he had been hurt.

A Clear Conscience

Paul knew that he had always acted in ways that were above reproach. His “teaching, life, purposes, patience” (2Tim 3:10) were clear for all to see. His life had been exemplary. There was no lingering reason whereby the people around him could legitimately give him a hard time. Paul hadn’t led a perfect life – human beings don’t do things like that – but he had lived a life that is worthy of the Lord. And he was sure he was not being hurt through any fault of his own.

A Gospel-Centred Heart

It would probably be easy to feel a little embarrassed about ending up in prison. Not the most glamorous climax to a glittering career in evangelism! But Paul was remarkably positive about the experience. Presumably not because it was enjoyable but rather because what matters most is God – not what others think. Paul was not ashamed of his circumstances, he was focused on the gospel (2 Tim 1:12). He knew Jesus. He knew that he had been graciously prepared for judgement day. He knew he had been faithful. And so he didn’t worry. With no energy being expended on the unimportant things of life, he was able to concentrate on what matters most…

A Commitment to Persevere

Paul is quite clear that the Christian life needs discipline. And just like an athlete keeps a check on themselves to ensure they are keeping the rules and don’t get disqualified, so Christians are called to keep their eyes fixed on God (2Tim 2:5). Paul knew it was important that he didn’t allow himself to be distracted by the sins of those around him. Not easy to be sure. But the call to persevere is a call to push through the barriers of life, with the help of the Spirit, and to continue being faithful no matter what else is going on in life.

Paul faced real anguish. The pain that can be experienced in churches today can be similarly harsh. And there is a place, at times, to sit and cry. To feel anger at the injustices perpetrated against us. To pursue truth. To seek forgiveness and reconciliation with those who have wounded us. But there is also a call to live as Jesus would have us live despite the pain in the church. A call to model those qualities and orientations that Paul modelled – for the sake of the gospel.

It is imperative that we as 21st century Christians also grasp a realistic view of church. That we too honestly look at our lives to see if there is any sin there that needs rooting out. That we keep Christ not our pain as the number one priority in life. And that we too persevere in the tough times – continuing to be faithful soldiers and servants for our Lord even when the relationships and practices around us are not as we would wish.

No matter what: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved a workman who does not need to be ashamed. (2 Timothy 2:15)