A mature faith neither glosses over the glaring problems in our movement, nor abandons it in its time of need, says Rend Collective’s Chris Llewellyn
Unfortunately, I don’t believe it’s possible to meaningfully be Christian without somehow bearing with the Church, frustrating as it is. And I flat out refuse to let the hypocrisy of others rob me of my relationship with Jesus. So I persist in the tension.
I think learning how to live with paradox and tension is crucial if we’re to simultaneously believe that the church is “the body of Christ” and also face up to its dysfunction.
The church is toxic, leaving a trail of victims; yet the church is a healing balm, leaving a legacy of restored lives. Both things can be true, without negating each other.
We are broken and yet we are still the Bride of Christ.
I believe God is crying out for us to repent and reform; and yet I believe that we are beloved at our darkest and worst.
A mature faith neither glosses over the glaring problems within our movement, nor abandons it in its time of need. Mature faith rolls up its sleeves, cares for the victims, offers forgiveness to the offenders and eventually chooses to “light a candle rather than curse the darkness” as the motto for Amnesty International puts it.
If any other institution behaved this way, I don’t think I could stay a part of it - I would write it off. But when Jesus says he will build his Church and that the gates of hell will not not prevail against, it I believe him. I’ve been let down by systems, institutions and movements, but Jesus has never failed me yet.
Unfortunately, I don’t believe it’s possible to meaningfully be Christian without somehow bearing with the Church, frustrating as it is. And I flat out refuse to let the hypocrisy of others rob me of my relationship with Jesus. So I persist in the tension.
I think learning how to live with paradox and tension is crucial if we’re to simultaneously believe that the church is “the body of Christ” and also face up to its dysfunction.
The church is toxic, leaving a trail of victims; yet the church is a healing balm, leaving a legacy of restored lives. Both things can be true, without negating each other.
We are broken and yet we are still the Bride of Christ.
I believe God is crying out for us to repent and reform; and yet I believe that we are beloved at our darkest and worst.
A mature faith neither glosses over the glaring problems within our movement, nor abandons it in its time of need. Mature faith rolls up its sleeves, cares for the victims, offers forgiveness to the offenders and eventually chooses to “light a candle rather than curse the darkness” as the motto for Amnesty International puts it.
If any other institution behaved this way, I don’t think I could stay a part of it - I would write it off. But when Jesus says he will build his Church and that the gates of hell will not not prevail against, it I believe him. I’ve been let down by systems, institutions and movements, but Jesus has never failed me yet.
