A friend of mine had just finished his technical training program in the United States Air Force. Arriving for his first assignment at a Strategic Air Command base, he looked forward eagerly to attending church services on the base. But he soon found that he had difficulty communicating with the officer who conducted the services. Also, he disapproved of the lifestyle of one person who attended. His solution was to stop going to church.
I've had acquaintances from many denominations who have become unhapy with their church and stopped attending. Others have remained in their church but have found no joy there. This raises an important question: Should we be active in church only when it's pleasant, and all the members meet a particular standard?
The purpose of church, more than any other institution on earth, is to foster humanity's spiritual progress. That purpose deserves support, whether or not all the members meet the standard expected of them. Through prayer and full participation, we may well find ways of bringing healing where it is needed, both to ourselves and to others. My friend learned this lesson. More about that shortly.
