The church has more than its share of critics these days. People can come up with an extensive list of church problems if they want to.
Sometimes the criticism is unwarranted. People project their issues onto a congregation or onto the church, which is never healthy.
And, of course, the church will inevitably run into criticism.
What we’re doing is counter-cultural and will never be met with universal applause. The Gospel, even when powerfully shared, got John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, Jesus and the prophets killed, just to name a few. While it seems strange to say it, even love, when seen fully and magnificently, gets rejected.
But other times, we absolutely deserve the criticism that comes our way.
Common Church Problems
Often these days, it seems, we’re not ridiculed or persecuted because we’re fighting nobly. Nope, sometimes we just shoot ourselves in the foot.
Here are five things that, in my view, would help the mission of the church become more authentic and more effective if we could just stop doing them.
1. Church Problems: Being So Weird Online
Too many Christians come across online as either:
Toxic (Hello angry ranters, trolls and haters);
Cynical (Yes, we know you’re disappointed with everyone all the time and no one gets it as right as you); or
Syrupy (So sweet we can’t stand the taste and are not really sure you live in the real world).
Why do so many Christians think their social media feed is a place to show the world their weirdness?
It gives the impression that if you’re going to follow Jesus, you also need to become socially awkward.
