Things For Christians to Consider Before Criticizing the Church (Part Three)

Things For Christians to Consider Before Criticizing the Church (Part Three)            November 23, 2025

(Continuation from last week’s article)

No One Will Listen Before Long

Maybe most of the criticism levied against the church is rightfully deserved, but if that is all we are known for we will eventually be tuned out.  This is true in many areas of life.  The boss that only sees what employees do wrong soon loses respect.  The coach that only points out mistakes as he breaks down film soon loses the ears of those he is coaching.

Maybe the congregation where you are a member is not perfect (welcome to the club), but if the only time you speak up is when you speak against something, people will not listen after a while.

Timothy was encouraged not to be quarrelsome.  He should contend for the faith without constantly being contentious (II Timothy 2:24-26).  If we want to be heard and actually make a difference when we speak out against blind spots in the church we should not make it our hobby horse.

There Will Always Be Problems

The church is perfect on the divine side but the human side will always have problems (I John 1:8, 10).  This does not mean we should throw up our hands and cease our efforts to be all we can be, that would not please God (Philippians 3:13-14).  However, we must realize that the church will always have weaknesses as long as human beings are involved and live in a fallen world.

Jesus thought enough of the church to give His life for her, we should have a high view of her as well.  Someone may get the impression that we are not happy to be Christians if all we ever do is criticize the body of people we willingly aligned with.  There are things to be corrected – there always will be – but there is much to praise God about while the church is shining her light in all the world.

The church is criticized by outsiders and enemies enough, we should not add to it with unnecessary criticism.  It may be cool and trendy to find all the fault with God’s people and plaster it everywhere, but it is not what God wants.

We should be careful not to bash the body of Christ before unbelievers, not to appear self-righteous, surrender our balance, and lose our audience.  The church is not perfect but her husband is and that’s enough.                                                By Hiram Kemp