Don’t leave, try to fix it

I asked a fellow amateur radio operator which radio brand he thought was the best. There are so many to choose from and I was sure his expertise would guide me in getting that “perfect” radio. His response to me was this, “The best radio is the one you have.”

There is a lot packed into that statement. Whether the radio was an inexpensive knock-off, or a brand name, it’s the radio in your hand that will bring you through whatever need you have. I have often thought about this conversation in reference to church. Which is the best church to be a part of? Answer: The one you are in.

I have often asked people why they stopped going to such and such church (sometimes it would be the church I am serving). Oh, they had some creative reasons — some was personality conflict, others were lack of programs. I heard people say the church was too old, or they didn’t like all the young people. Some even said there was either too many classes or not enough. There were plenty of explanations as to why people stopped going to a particular church, or church altogether.

My response to this is, these are only excuses. The best church to be a part of is the church you are a part of. The perfect church does not exist (oh how I wish it did). In every church you will find something wrong. It will be too hot, or too cold.

There will be sinners sitting in the pews and the children will either be too loud or non-existent. No church will have the right programs for those who are dissatisfied with church.

Here is my suggestion to those who are dissatisfied with their church. FIX IT! Yes, if there is something you don’t like or some shortfall your church has, FIX IT.

Look, there is no reason why any church should be suffering a loss of members and participants. Each of us who are believers are called to ministry, so why don’t we minister. If you are thinking about moving churches because of the lack of youth ministry, start a youth ministry. If you are planning on leaving because they don’t have a Bible study, start a Bible study. If you don’t like the music that is chosen, sit down with the minister. This will give you an excellent opportunity to understand the selection process and maybe help.

I also know that there will be times that you must turn your back, knock the dust off your feet and leave. But that is not a reason to leave church altogether. If anything, that is a reason to help another church be the beacon of hope God has called it to be. Believe it or not, God is calling you to be a witness to the world, and the church, every church, is chartered with that very idea in mind.

Don’t leave the church, fix it. Make it part of the Kingdom of God.

Just a thought.

Shalom my friends. See you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.