Has anyone ever started a conversation with you with a loaded question like this?

“You know what’s wrong with this church?”

It doesn’t take a tremendous amount of skill to see the things that could be better. Amazingly, most of us have an innate ability to sense the negative. And if we spend too much time focusing on the negatives, they will soon appear to outweigh the positives.

There’s always something about the local church that will need improvement. However, massive changes are rarely the answer. A confident and consistent flow of tweaks and adjustments is usually the best solution.

However, adjusting what’s wrong is not as big a deal as you first thought. Why is that? It’s because most of what you first notice and complain about is rarely a matter of theology. Many of the negatives are matters of personal opinion and preference.

These are some of the negatives about which others might complain. But not you because you’re too wise to act like a negative Nellie!

It’s too cold here.
The music is too loud!
The sanctuary is too dark.
Where did they find this music!?
Every time I go, they ask me for money.
I can’t believe the way they dressed for church!
There are just too many hypocrites in this crazy church!

I’ll stop with the list and move on to better words. Besides, you are likely already mentally expanding the negative file. Your energy is best spent focusing on your local church’s positives instead of the negatives.

Wisdom says you should rise to a better question. What’s right about your church? Take an extended look and come up with a list of the things that are right with your church.

Most Bible-believing Protestant congregations I know and fellowship with have many right things. Let me share a short list of Bible items your church has likely gotten right.

1. The foundation of this church is right.
It was founded and is being built by Jesus Christ, the Chief Church Builder. He is the Chief Cornerstone, and your congregation is formed with members who have placed their faith in Him.

2. The function of this church is right.
Reaching unbelievers with the Gospel. Teaching them the Bible. And training them to serve the Lord. This is what the majority of your congregation has the heart to do. Its primary purpose is Great Commission fulfillment.

3. The family of this church is right.
The local church is a family of believers in the Kingdom of God. As a family, we stay right with God and with each other. We practice the same forgiveness with each other that Christ consistently provides us. It’s what we do. It’s who we are.

4. The future of this church is right.
It might seem like your church has a bleak future on the earthly timeline. But the future of the family of God is as bright as eternity. Eternal life in Heaven is a future so bright that your church ought to wear shades (sunglasses).

You might ask me this. Are you opposed to pointing out the negatives and making some changes as needed? Absolutely not!

However, before forming a negative highlighting committee to report to the church leadership, let me suggest a few parameters. First, have you prayed about this and for your church leaders? Is it really worth the effort it would take to complain? Secondly, are you the only person that thinks this is wrong? Thirdly, are you willing to help be a part of your suggested solution? Fourthly, after you’ve cited the issue, will you be able to accept it if nothing changes or progress moves at a snail’s pace? Lastly, are you fiscally committed to the local church and willing to help cover the expenses of the adjustments needed?

Let’s return to the negatives for a moment. Recall what happens in the darkroom. Long before digital photography arrived, it took a darkroom for images to fully develop into a work of beauty.

Before becoming a vocal advocate for fixing every negative in your local church, I suggest you return to your darkroom. What happens in your dark room, also known as your prayer closet, is paramount. There is where I expect that you will find something beautiful. Down on your knees is when you reach for something (or Someone) beautiful to touch you.

What’s right with your church?

Comment and tell me the best things about your local church.