The Devastating Loss When Our Church Fails Us
What Do We Do When Our Church Fails Us?
My friend Pam said a deacon in her church asked her for a date. She felt awkward because he was married. Soon, she no longer felt comfortable attending church. Lost and alone was how she felt. She didn’t want to tell anyone. She was too embarrassed. What do we do when our church fails us?
This was a very emotional situation. She had attended this church for many years. She felt betrayed. Pam wondered what she should do. This experience shattered her faith. She had trusted the leaders of her church. She became disillusioned, not only about the people in her church but also about God. So, she believed the church had failed her.
Testimonies Can Be Fragile
Testimony about God has roots that spread. These roots can connect both people and organizations. You naturally look for others who believe as you do to strengthen your faith. The more connections you have, the stronger your faith in God becomes.
A problem arises when one or more of your connections drift away from their faith, or events occur that make you question your beliefs. Your testimony waivers because you have rooted your faith in those connections instead of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Those connections don’t always require a personal relationship. For instance, you may follow a celebrity, athlete, or other famous person who you thought believed the same way you do. When evidence becomes known, if they don’t live consistently with those beliefs, your testimony can become bruised or weakened.
If the teachings of your church, the leadership, or someone hurt or offend you in the congregation, you must ask yourself: “Do I believe in this church or do I believe Jesus is my Savior?”
This is not a question for Google or social media. It is not a question to take to a nonbeliever or even a believer. You must take this question to the Lord in prayer.
Check out our post: 5 fundamentals of Christian Faith
Can We honestly Say Our Church Fails Us?
Pam blamed her church for the erosion of her faith.
It is easy to shift the responsibility for your spiritual life onto a church. When things don’t turn out like you think they should. It’s comfortable to say the church fails you. Sometimes churches or organizations get blamed for things they are not responsible for. Depending on a church to supply your faith is not how to develop a testimony about God. Root and cultivate your faith in Jesus Christ.
Ask yourself, “Who is the captain of my soul? Who is responsible for my faith?”
When you recognize you are individually responsible for your faith, you don’t blame others, either for the development or the destruction of your faith.
Who is Responsible for Our Faith?
I believe it is possible for someone to leave their church and continue diligently seeking Christ with an eye single to His glory.
Unfortunately, Pam did not follow this path. All religious organizations, she decided, were wrong. She did not seek new, stronger connections. She not only walked away from her church, but she walked away from God.
Even when your church or church family disappoints you, do not walk away from Jesus.
Don’t lose hope. God has not forsaken or forgotten you. A church can help you keep focused on Jesus Christ, but in the end, you and only you are responsible for your faith. Center your hope on Jesus Christ.
Remember the end goal: “And this is life eternal that we may know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
This website may help you find the right church when your old church failed you.
https://www.learnreligions.com/how-to-find-a-church-700487
May the Lord bless you as you seek greater faith with a sincere heart.
