Why Church Matters...

http://www.karipatterson.com/2010/04/17/why-church-matters/

Please go read this blog post on a blog I follow...it is so good (as many of her posts are!).

Anyone who knows me well knows I've had some bad experiences and lots of hurt by "the church"- specifically pastors. So, over the past 4 years I have been walking through my issues with the church & pastors. I have failed, I have risked, I have grown, I have overall come a long ways in 4 years. But I know my road is not "over". I trust pastors more than I did 4 years ago. I am involved in a church. I can actually say I love my church. I know some of my pastors now. But I have not arrived. I am still really cautious of pastors in general. I still have a hard time going to service every week (I'm at church every week serving but getting to service is harder for me). I go to some of the weekly events but could do more. I have tried some home communities but haven't fully committed to one. I pray for my pastors- esp for humility & wisdom- but I know I could pray more for them.

As I read this post I realized I still don't love "the church". I am still disillusioned at times because what I learned about what the church is and should be in Bible College is not how many churches actually operate. I know the church is made up of sinful people (myself included) so living out what I think "should" be will fail at times. I fail, we all fail at being the church- the way Jesus established it. And as Kari writes about we all have a purpose and role and because I still hold back I may be causing my church to limp...and because others that come to my church don't serve or don't give or don't whatever they are causing the church to limp a bit...We (as believers) are supposed to be a part of this messy thing called church. We are supposed to risk and grow and love and commit. I want to be there again...I want to LOVE the church again. I used to. I am starting to love my church... but loving the overall church...I am not there yet...