One of the most heartbreaking things to hear as a church-going Christian is that someone has been hurt by the church.
When I hear that, I feel the need to apologize immediately, even if the person is talking about a church 500 miles away that I have never heard of.
The reality is, church isn’t perfect.
I think both Christians and non-Christians alike need to remember that humans are flawed.
It pains me to admit it, but I have recently realized that I am not always a part of the solution myself. I put my walls up and I put my church smile on, and I am afraid to be myself sometimes because I am scared of judgment or too many personal questions.
Through the counsel of a wiser Christian, namely my dad, I now see that I am sometimes the very same judgmental person of which I am afraid.
I can’t just use the excuse that I’m human, though. Christians can’t just hide behind our imperfect, human nature and shrug off our mistakes.
We can’t claim that we are perfect or that we know it all either.
Christianity is a process. Christianity is a daily struggle, a cycle of realizing our inadequacy, asking for forgiveness and help, and then sinking back into our old ways, sometimes all in a matter of five minutes.
I would like to ask non-believers, or those who have been hurt by the church, to remember that and recognize that we don’t have it all together.
I think Christians should be more open about the flaws in our lives. We should admit defeat and admit when we make mistakes.
We don’t save ourselves.
I think a personal relationship with Christ is a big deal, but it’s nothing to be proud of because we haven’t done anything to earn it.
God should be the reason to go to church, not to gloat about your Sunday school record or gossip about your week.
Christians need an ego check sometimes.
Non-Christians sometimes need a reality check too.
There are some great Christians out there, serving an even greater God, just trying to help everyone they meet. Some of them will step on toes just by doing what they feel called to do.
Christians, please be genuine. Those of you who have all but given up on the church, please give us a second chance.
Emma King is a sophomore journalism major from Chandler. She is a staff writer for the Lariat.
