Is It Okay for a Christian to be Deeply Frustrated with The Church?

Yes, and No, and Yes again.

Yes

Firstly, the answer is Yes. Yes, it’s okay. From an objective viewing, the church is certainly not without its faults. This is the case by nature of the church being comprised of human beings. Human beings, like any others, that are not perfect or even nearly so. We all have our flaws and failures.

It is wrong to pretend that this is not the case. It helps neither those within the church or those without. Sometimes we just have to be frank, and say “Hey! Something is obviously not right here.”

No

Secondly, No. It’s not okay. Why not? Simply because the church was initiated and authorised by Jesus Christ himself and his immediate followers. By “the church” I do not mean to say a particular church tradition. I mean the essence of catholicity that all traditions and denominations have in common with one another. I mean the way in which Jesus called people to trust him, to follow him and to find everlasting joy in knowing him.

Consequently, we must love the church. The concept of “church” originates in the Godhead. It is not a mere human invention or product of mortal ingenuity. In short, despite its failings, we must be for the church and not against it. Before all else, we must be deeply committed to the church.

Yes

Lastly, Yes again. Our frustration with the church is legitimate when it stems from our love for the church. Out of a desire to see the church flourish and fulfil its God-ordained potential, we can and must constructively critique the church. In fact, in some ways, it would be neglectful not become frustrated with the state of the church from time to time.

But here is a crucial caveat to offering criticism: you must remember that when you are frustrated with the church, or when you offer criticism of the church, you are also criticising yourself. You, yes you, are part of the church just as much as anybody else. The “church” to which you belong is not a building structure or an allotted period of time once or twice a week. The church is a people. It’s a living, breathing, community of faith. And you are part of that community of faith. You are one individual that partakes in the collective of individuals that make up the church community. When we remember that we are also critiquing ourselves, we then learn that we also must take some responsibility. In some ways, if we remain outsiders, and take upon no responsibility for ourselves, we have no right to critique. Our critique doesn’t effect us, because we think that we are high above the criticism that we afford to others. In fact, we may actually be part of the problem.

So what am I saying?

1. Rethink what church is for — it’s not just for you. If you’re coming to church for some kind of ‘package deal’, where you get everything you expected, maybe you have a wrong idea of what church is all about. Of course, the church must strive towards the excellencies to which it is called in Christ, but that looks remarkably different from a passive, consumeristic mindset. Maybe God has planned it so that you get what you need by being involved, and committed to the messy group of people we call “church”.
2. Remember the community is a collective of individuals. Imperfection and failure is inevitable, but don’t let that be an excuse for not taking responsibility and avoiding to be part of the solution towards positive change. Commit to change from within, not critique from without.
3. Frustration must flow out of love. Be critical of the church, but out of a tremendously high hope and expectation of what the church is meant to be, as instituted by Jesus Christ.

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