Church Warts and Critics

Are you critical of your church?

Like, you have a criticism about everything that goes on. Sure it's not being critical--it's giving constructive criticisms (you are really doing them a favor). Well you don't give constructive criticism about everything, but most things. Like the music, the way the offering is taken up, the person who gives the announcements, how long the sermon is, the temperature…And you never tell anyone in leadership your criticisms.

You get the picture.

Nothing pleases you.

It wasn't always that way. There was a time that you loved your church. You thought it was a magical place. Perhaps not magical; but even better, you could feel the Spirit's presence at every worship service. Now when you see someone excited about church you think: "Just stick around!"

I remember thinking my church was perfect.

When I was going through this honeymoon phase, my pastor (either prophetically or wisely) told me, "Stick around long enough and you'll see our warts."

I did.

I stuck around long enough not only to see the warts, but to become one.

A wart is nothing more than rapid skin growth caused by a virus. It's harmless, but can itch and be embarrassing. They often go away on their own in a few months or years. And there are many different types of warts.

How did I become a wart?

I became a critic of my local church.

I never went around and said negative things to others, because I really do love my church. But nonetheless, I said them to myself and as a result I grew into a critic wart. My heart became critical and God is dealing with me.

Are you a critic when it comes to your church? Or maybe you know one?

Here is the evolution of becoming a church critic in six steps:

1) You have an unrealistic dream or expectation for your church. These can appear to be good things. Churches are meant to be a community where Christians come together to fulfill the gospel. They aren't meant for anything else.

2) This unrealistic dream or expectation will make you proud and pretentious. You won't see it. You'll think it's righteousness.

3) You will demand that everyone else share this unrealistic dream or expectation for what your church should be. This includes the pastor, the staff, the church members, and even God. Of course this requirement isn't discussed, but rather people should pick up on it.

4) When people can't live up to the dream or expectation, you accuse them. This is where pride comes in because you are able to see and recognize how the church should be. You know better than everyone else.

5) When things don't go your way, you see the church as a failure.

6) Lastly, when you see your perfect picture as a failure, it isn't long until you will see the whole church as a waste.

So how do you overcome being a critic?

1) Don't have unreal expectations and dreams for the church. Allow the church to be what it is. Trust the leadership. If you can't trust the leadership, you need to see if it's a personal problem or a legit problem. If it's legit then you need to go the church leadership. If it isn't, you need to repent.

2) Pray for your church. Pray for your pastors and your community. We don't pray enough.

3) Get involved. Most people who are church critics don't do anything. All they do is complain--they consider it their contribution. But their contribution sucks!

4) Stop it! Stop saying negative things to yourself and to others. This includes to your spouse. Negativity spreads and when you spread negativity to your spouse, more than likely they are going to take your side. Things will get darker. If you want to talk about it with your spouse, do so in prayer.

Are you a critic? What do you do to overcome this attitude?

(The six steps were adapted from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book, Life Together. You should read it.)