Dealing with Church Imperfections: Lessons from Haggai and the New Testament

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Hope and Grace is our lifestyle

Human nature often leads us to romanticize the past, looking back on "the good old days" with fondness and nostalgia. We do this not only in our personal lives but also in our perceptions of historical events and institutions. The Church is no exception. We often idealize the early Church as a model of perfection and unity, but the reality was far from flawless. In this blog post, we will explore the biblical examples of the early Church's imperfections and how the book of Haggai addresses the tendency to romanticize the past. We will also learn valuable lessons on how to deal with the sins and challenges within the Church while maintaining a hopeful and gracious perspective.

Romanticizing the Past

It's human nature to look back at historical figures or events with rose-colored glasses. We admire heroes like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson as Founding Fathers, but forget that they were considered traitors by the British. Similarly, we often romanticize the early Church in the New Testament, particularly in passages like Acts 2:42-47. We see their devotion to teaching, fellowship, and caring for one another and wish for a return to those "glory days."

The Idealized Early Church

Acts 2:42-47 paints a picture of the early Church's unity, devotion, and growth. They were filled with awe at the Apostles' work, shared everything in common, and saw daily conversions. This idealized image of the early Church can lead us to believe that everything was perfect, but that was not the case.

The Great Commission Ignored

Despite the clear directive from Jesus to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:4-5, 7-8), the early Church chose to stay in Jerusalem, creating a "holy huddle." They neglected the Great Commission, preferring the comfort of familiarity over the call to spread the Gospel.

Financial and Racial Struggles

The early Church in Jerusalem faced financial difficulties. Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended, coincided with an influx of people from outside Jerusalem, and the locals had to support these newcomers. This financial strain may have contributed to their decision to sell property and possessions.

Racism was another issue within the early Church. Peter hesitated to share the Gospel with Gentiles, and there were conflicts over the fair distribution of resources. These examples reveal that the early Church had its share of problems and challenges.

Biblical Examples of Imperfections

Biblical figures like Peter, Paul, Timothy, and others had their own flaws. Peter denied Christ three times, and later, in Antioch, gave in to pressure from Judaizers. Paul, while a prolific writer and church planter, had moments of arrogance and conflict. Timothy was timid, Demas loved the world more than God, and Diotrephes was a dictator in the church.

Problems Within the Churches

Many New Testament churches faced significant issues. Galatia was led astray by a false gospel, Ephesus's love for God faded, Philippi had internal conflicts, and Corinth was known for its numerous problems, requiring multiple lengthy letters from Paul to address them.

Addressing Sin Biblically

Paul's approach to addressing the sins and issues within the early Church serves as an example for us today. He directly confronted individuals or churches about their shortcomings. However, he also found the good and praised it sincerely, focusing on the hope found in the Gospel.

Lessons from Haggai

Haggai's second message to the people building the temple reveals a tendency to romanticize the past. He asked three questions to help them see that their perspective was skewed. But he didn't stop there. Haggai found the good and praised it, reminding the people that God's presence was what truly mattered, not the grandeur of the building.

Dealing with Church Issues Today

Drawing from the examples of the early Church and the wisdom of Haggai, we can learn how to address the sins and challenges within the Church today. Two key principles emerge:

1. Deal with sin directly and privately, following the biblical model outlined in Matthew 18:15-17.

2. Find the good and praise it. Recognize the work that God is doing within your church and community, focusing on the hope and grace found in the Gospel.

The Church, both in the past and today, is not without its imperfections. However, by learning from the New Testament and the book of Haggai, we can address these issues in a biblical and grace-filled manner. Rather than romanticizing the past or focusing on the flaws of others, let us confront sin directly and find the good to praise, trusting that God's presence and grace will guide us through the challenges we face as the body of Christ.

1. Share a personal experience where you or someone you know romanticized the past, whether in your personal life or in your perception of the Church. How did this perspective impact your or their actions?

2. Discuss the idealized image of the early Church in Acts 2:42-47. What aspects of their devotion and unity do you find admirable? Are there any lessons we can learn from them?

3. Explore the biblical examples of imperfections among prominent figures like Peter, Paul, and Timothy. How do these examples remind us of the humanity of those in leadership roles within the Church?

4. Reflect on the problems faced by early Christian communities, such as Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Corinth. How does knowing that these struggles existed in the early Church affect your perspective on the challenges faced by the Church today?

5. What lessons can we draw from Paul's approach to addressing sin within the Church, as outlined in Matthew 18:15-17, and his practice of finding the good and praising it in his letters?

6. How can we apply the principles of addressing sin directly and finding the good to praise within our own church or Christian community? Share specific examples or scenarios that you believe could benefit from these approaches.