Help! I Love Jesus but Not the Church
“I love Jesus but not the church.” This is seemingly the increasing cry of our generation. Many of us can think back to a time in our lives when specific people within the church, and sometimes in the name of the church, hurt us. That hurt can run deep and be as minuscule as being the topic of someone’s gossip, and at other times being as immense as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. As a result, rather than finding the church to be beautiful and lovely, we view the church as ugly and foul. You confess that you love Jesus and desire to follow him faithfully, but your love for the church has grown cold and distant. It’s impossible to love Jesus and not love the church. I’m not talking about loving an organizational structure or programs, but the church for who she is as God’s people and the bride of Christ. The church—which was created by God, bought by Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit—exists to be a reflection of God’s indescribable love. Learn to see beyond methodology and