I’m Not Looking for a Perfect Church.

I have heard people say more times than I can count, “There is no such thing as a perfect church.” And while I agree that no church is made up of perfect people, I sometimes wonder whether that statement has become an excuse for things that should never be accepted in God's house.

My response has always been simple. I am not looking for a church that claims to be perfect. I am looking for a church that is trying to be.

There is a difference.

I know that every congregation is made up of sinners saved by grace. I know pastors make mistakes, church members sometimes disagree, and even the most faithful believers struggle with sin. I have been a Christian for many years, and I certainly haven't reached perfection myself.

But when did our imperfections become an excuse to stop trying to live according to God's Word?

Jesus said something that ought to make every Christian stop and think.

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

Jesus was not giving His followers permission to settle for whatever standard they found comfortable. In the context of Matthew 5, He was calling them to a life that reflects the character of their heavenly Father, including loving those who do not love them in return.

No, we will not achieve sinless perfection in this life. But that does not mean we are free to ignore what God expects.

Paul understood this struggle. He wrote:

“Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12)

Notice what Paul said. He admitted he had not reached perfection, but he did not use that as an excuse to stop. He pressed on.

That is the kind of church I am looking for. Not one that claims to have arrived, but one that is pressing on toward what God has called His people to be.

I am looking for a church where Scripture determines what is taught, rather than the latest ideas about how to attract a crowd. A church where pastors are more concerned about faithfully teaching God's Word than keeping everyone happy.

I am looking for a church that understands the difference between reaching the world with the gospel and becoming like the world to attract its attention.

Paul wrote:

“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

That command applies to individual believers, and its truth should certainly be reflected in the life of the church.

A church should not have to imitate the world's entertainment, attitudes, and values to convince people that Christianity is worth considering. The gospel is not a product we are trying to sell. It is the truth of God that sinners need to hear.

And I am not looking for a church that simply tries to be different from every other church in town. Being different means nothing if we are not being biblical. If another congregation is faithfully following Scripture, praise God for it. We need more churches like that, not fewer.

But I do want to see evidence that a congregation is seriously trying to follow the pattern God has given us.

Look at what Scripture says about the early believers.

“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.” (Acts 2:42)

There was teaching. There was fellowship. There was prayer. Their lives were centered on Christ and the truth He had given His apostles.

I am looking for a church where those things are more than words printed in a statement of faith.

I want to see believers who genuinely care about one another. When someone is hurting, others notice. When someone falls into sin, the response is neither to ignore it nor to destroy the person, but to seek his restoration according to Scripture.

I want to see leaders who understand that they are shepherds, not celebrities. Men who can be questioned about their teaching without treating every question as rebellion. Men willing to admit when they are wrong and correct what needs correcting.

And I want to see church members who are growing in their understanding of Scripture, rather than depending entirely upon a Sunday sermon for their spiritual nourishment.

None of that requires a perfect congregation. It requires a congregation that takes God's Word seriously.

Peter wrote:

“but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior, because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15–16)

God did not lower His standard because He knew we would struggle. He calls us to holiness because we belong to Him.

Of course, holiness is not something we manufacture through our own strength. We depend upon God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. But that grace does not give us permission to become comfortable with sin.

So when someone tells me there is no perfect church, I agree. But that does not answer my concern.

Is the church trying to be faithful to Scripture? Are its leaders willing to correct error? Does the congregation take sin seriously? Is there evidence of spiritual growth? Are people being taught to follow Christ rather than simply attend religious services?

Those are reasonable questions, and I do not believe Christians should be made to feel guilty for asking them.

I am not expecting a church without problems. I am looking for one that does not excuse its problems by reminding everyone that nobody is perfect.

I am not looking for impressive buildings, professional entertainment, or a pastor who can hold a crowd's attention for forty minutes.

I am looking for a church that wants to be what Jesus Christ intended His church to be.

And if that church makes a mistake, I don't expect perfection. I expect humility, repentance, and a willingness to return to Scripture.

Because there is a world of difference between a church that falls short while sincerely trying to obey God and one that has become comfortable with falling short.

So yes, I know there is no perfect church.

But is it really asking too much to look for one that is trying?

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

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