Imperfect Church

"The church is the concrete form in which men (sic) experience the history of Christ" (Jurgen Moltmann: The Church in the Power of the Spirit (SCM, 1977). It is probably thirty years since I read Moltmann's then newly published book - but it is was one of the first expressions of my interest in the theme of the church and what it's about, a matter that is of interest to all of us who try to follow the Christian way. For me, being part of the church has always been a mix of the exciting, the encouraging, the inspiring - but also the disappointing, the struggling, even the annoying! But surely that's how it should be. The church cannot be perfect - because it would not involve us if it was. Our challenge is to learn to live with and through the downsides. Of course, there's much in the church that frustrates me. There is a great deal in the church that I would like to see done differently. But the great thing about the church is that it is God's partnership with ordinary human beings, and so engages with the fact that God values us - and that is something that ought to enable us to see past all the difficulties. Of course, we should hope for - and work for - a better church. However, we can only do that when we value each other, despite all our weaknesses. In the end, I cannot be worried by the imperfections of the church - because it would be something else without them, and that 'something else' would not involve me.