A significant component of maturing in Christ, at least in the American Church, is realizing that the Church doesn’t owe me anything. I spent the better part of 2017-2020 reconciling myself to the revelation that as a member of the body of Christ, I am for serving the Church, not the Church for serving me.

The Church doesn’t owe me agreement with all my beliefs.
The Church doesn’t owe me cutting edge, or all the traditions I value. 
The Church doesn’t owe me showing up to all my important life events. 
The Church doesn’t owe me my favorite worship songs.
The Church doesn’t owe me a coffee shop, light show, or dynamic speakers. 
The Church doesn’t owe me a merch store or strong social media presence. 
The Church doesn’t owe me pristine facilities or a social events calendar.
The Church doesn’t owe me childcare, plush seating, or air conditioning. 
The Church doesn’t owe me comfortable or convenient. 

The Church is called to make disciples of Christ Jesus. Pure and simple. Though believers generationally and globally have often fallen short of this calling, maturing in Christ means I love His Bride, not for what she can do for me, or for what I believe I’m entitled to receive from her, but because He loves her. And in serving Him, I serve her. In loving her, I love myself.

I’ve been disappointed and deliberately hurt by Christians more times than I can count in my near 30 years as a member of the body of Christ. I’ve been a part of 7 congregations and 3 denominations in that time. There are no perfect congregants or congregations. If we err in dealing with the believer(s) in front of us, let us err on the side of love. I cannot profess to love Christ yet hate his Bride.

God, give each of us wisdom to contribute to the health, discipleship, Biblical integrity, and longevity of our congregations. They are for the healing of nations. 

This is my simple prayer: May my love for the Bride be patient and kind; may I not be envious of her or boast over her; may I not be arrogant or rude toward her. May I not insist on my own way; may I not be irritable or resentful toward her; May I not rejoice in her wrongdoing or wrongdoing committed toward her, but may I rejoice in Truth going forth from her. May I bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things with her. May my love for the Bride be without end.