Why We Love the Church
Reversing the Trend of Internal Criticism of the Church
From Matthew: I haven’t posted in a while… so I’m overdue to share something. These thoughts are a compilation of a section of a sermon I’m delivering tonight that I cut for brevity. I’ve reworked these thoughts into an article. There is certainly more that could be said—and might be at a later time—but the point of the post is to remind us of the need to be aware of the ramifications of internal criticism of the church and how it can affect younger generations.
For some, it has become popular to engage in criticism of the church.
I have been guilty of this and wish I could take some things back.
It is easy … and natural, I think … for younger generations to be critical of those who have gone before. A few years ago, when my son was really caught up in politics and getting very involved in some advocacy groups, he told me, “I’m not going to be like your generation, Dad, I’m going to do something.” This was his response to my expression of displeasure and concern for his safety in going to DC to march in the streets and show the politicians how upset he was.
I remember standing there thinking … “Are you kidding?” I was kind of taken aback. I haven’t done … anything? I’ve voted in every election since turning 18. And I won’t get into the other stuff I’ve done through the years … doesn’t matter here … but I couldn’t get away from the fact that I felt his criticism was a little unfair. Every generation, as it comes of age, feels like it is the one that will finally get everything right … only to find itself under criticism when the next generation comes along.
And by the way … I think every generation in the church criticizes the other. Generally speaking,
Gen X is critical of Gen Z.
Gen Z is critical of the Baby Boomers.
And everybody is critical of the Millennials. 😀 😀 😀
We have to stop this. While there are certainly perspectives and attitudes in the church that need to change, we need to be very careful.
Younger eyes are watching …, and impressions are being formed. Sometimes, our criticisms of the church and its members can lead our young people to become bitter and jaded. We may do this and not even think about it.
What do you discuss around the lunch or dinner table after church?
What things will you be complaining about to another family member, in the earshot of tender ears, regarding what you don’t like in the church, or changes in the congregation that make you uncomfortable?
What complaints will you be posting online for all to see in your social media feed?
This is not good, especially since they are already overwhelmed with negativity toward the church. They encounter it daily at school, in the media, online, and among friends. In classrooms, history lessons may highlight the church’s failures while ignoring its role in love and good works. On platforms like X, viral posts mock faith as outdated, with trends like #Exvangelical gaining traction. Peers may dismiss the church as uncool, pressuring teens to conform. A 2020 Pew study found that 40% of Gen Z is religiously unaffiliated, reflecting these influences.
So, if a young Christian faces criticism from classmates who label the church as judgmental, hears their parents’ complaints about an elder or the length of the sermon, it only reinforces their doubts.
I do wonder if some of the charges of hypocrisy are coming from our young people because we have found it so easy to be critical of each other… always suspicious, pointing out faults, shortcomings, or disagreements over judgment … rather than proceeding with love and giving the benefit of the doubt.
If we need to change our attitudes and perspectives, let’s do it. I am certainly not arguing that internal criticism of things in our local churches is never right. There is always room for improvement. But we do need to be careful of how we make those criticisms and who hears them.
We need to demonstrate to the world and to our fellow Christians how much we love the church.
When you think about it, it really is profound how the Son of God has humbly attached himself to an imperfect body and loves it the way He does. And it really is special … in that he has filled the body with the spirit to assist us in the work of transformation.
Paul wrote that Jesus died to make the church holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:26-27).
We are the Father’s gift to the Son … a redeemed people who are elect, justified, sanctified, and ultimately, glorified. We are being transformed into something of great value as a gift to the Son as an expression of His immeasurable love. In saving you, God has given you a family. We are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19).
Imperfect as it is, it is our family.
We are all brothers and sisters.
We are all members of the household of God.
We all share the same life source.
We are all recipients of mercy.
We all stand in grace.
We are all forgiven.
We all share the same hope.
And, it is all for a purpose. In him, you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). We have been saved together to display God’s power, work, and grace. We are the assembly of the redeemed. The eternally blessed. We are the very reason for which the universe was created. We are God’s gathered people for eternal purposes.
If God loves the church, so should we.