Flawed, but Wonderful

I finally finished Stephen Ambrose's To America, a collection of musings and memories from one of the more accomplished historians in my lifetime.  Unlike my wife Sarah, I'm a terrible reader, so in the four years it took me to read this book, Sarah probably read around one hundred books. This is not an exaggeration.  But in fairness to me, it's not as if I wasn't reading other things in drips and drabs during the past four years.

One of the points that Ambrose makes in his book constantly, is that with all the flaws and faults of the United States - from slavery to the despicable treatment of Native Americans, from incarceration of Japanese-Americans to our still existing struggles with racism and classism - is still the greatest country in the world.  The book pulls no punches about missteps that have been made, but makes clear that the role that the United States has played in the world has been overwhelmingly positive, from the fight of fascism during World War II and the nation building of post-war Japan, Germany, and South Korea.  Despite harsh criticism from those outside and inside this nation, the American evangelism of individual rights, freedom and democracy has been a force which has ultimately served the good of this world.

The same can be said for the Church.  The beloved bride of Christ is not without flaws and faults, but to still endures to proclaim, administer, and to enforce the law of Christ, gathering and building up of the saints, and advancing the Kingdom of shalom in every area of life.  I've heard too many stories of people who have been wounded by bad experiences in a church. Maybe they've felt unfairly judged or marginalized.  In some cases, they've tried to reach out for help and have felt ignored.  Others might have been used, exploited, and discarded.  Sadly, I have friends who have experienced this.

I remember once hearing that "Christians are the only people who shoot their wounded."  I cringe at the truth of that statement.  There are people who have sinned and have repented, only to have grace not extended.  Too often, I know of churches who preach grace as people come in the door, but in practice, eliminate grace for those who are inside the church.  As a result, there are communities of faith where there is little authenticity or depth.  Forgiveness is a one-time deal, and if you sin once inside the church, keep it to yourself or suffer the consequences.

Yes, there are churches that don't care about the poor.  There are churches which are far more concerned with outward appearances than that which defiles within.  There are churches which are fraught with corruption, power struggles, divisions, and slander.

But it still is the primary vessel which God uses to bring redemption to this world.  The Church will continue to progress in its mission to call people to repentance and salvation in Christ. The Church will continue to bring spiritual, emotional and physical healing in Christ's Name. It is still the beloved bride of Christ.  And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.