What is an ideal church? What is your concept of a perfect church? The perfect church has a gorgeous building, a perfect PA system, a perfect choir, a perfect pastor, full of perfect people and a lot of exciting programmes (How many pastors wish to have such a congregation! No heartache, no headache, no complaint, no anonymous letters and no criticism). Is that your concept of a perfect church? Is that what you are looking for?

Someone has well said, "If you can find a perfect church, join it! But as soon as you do, it won’t be a perfect church any more." There are many reasons why church people choose one church or faith over another. It may be that their parents raised them up with certain beliefs, or perhaps it was the influence of a teacher, minister or friend that influenced their religious choice.

Sometimes it is a negative event that takes a church member out of a church and into another one. Perhaps, a pastor or member hurt or failed a member somehow, and as a "reaction," that individual changed churches, or dropped religion all together.

Can we find a perfect congregation on earth? Unfortunately, some Christians believe so. According to their wishful thinking, a perfect congregation is one that comprises all members who practice the truth (How I wish Life Church is like this!). The church people are faithful, pure, kind, gentle, compassionate, happy, generous, sacrificial, hospitable, industrious, clean, honest, respectable, obedient, godly and holy people.

Can we hope to find such a congregation – anywhere on earth? My answer is an emphatic NO. There is no perfect church on earth. Since Pentecost, beginning in Jerusalem, thousands of Christian congregations have sprouted globally down through the centuries (Acts 2:41-47). But has there been found a perfect church? Unfortunately, they all appear to have the same problems – unbelief, lawsuits, infighting, immorality, divorce and remarriage, heresies, diversities of views, divided families and sin-sick members.

To be sure some denominations know more, or think they know more, than others. They know the Bible. They always speak out for the truth, whether right or wrong. They give more in tithes and offerings to missions and needy members. They have a Sunday school for all ages. They have better choirs and musicians. They are extremely organized in their activities. But sad to say, in their behaviour within and without the church, there is often little difference between those who know much and those who know little. Hatred, jealousy, suspicion, backbiting, an unforgiving spirit, hypocrisy, gossip, faithlessness, apathy and outright sin exist in all denominations.

What I am saying is that the performance of the membership in all the denominations is far from perfect, no matter what they know or possess. Theoretical knowledge is good, but if it is not put into practice, it is not real knowledge.

Scripturally speaking, "to know" means "to have an intimate relationship with" rather than just to accept as fact theoretically. Spiritual knowledge that is not put into practice is not true knowledge. "The end of all knowledge is conduct" (Lightfoot). It is just so much counter-productive, mental baggage. Believers who do not practice the truth they profess are clouds without rain, wells without water, trees without fruit. Keep away from such individuals. They will weary you.

How about Life Church? Is she a perfect church? What is your answer? My answer is not at all. What does it tell me? What does it tell you? It tells us that we are still in the process of sanctification. We are still on the way to perfection. We have not attained to the fullness of Christ yet. We are still striving. We are still pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

If this is the spiritual condition of Life Church (and of all other denominations), then we should be more gracious to our fellow brethren’s weaknesses. We should not go about with a censorious spirit (Matthew 7:1-5). We should be more encouraging, more tolerant and more charitable toward the weaker ones, helping them to grow in the most holy faith (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

In the history of our church, we have had many members who left us for other churches. We always give them our blessing as long as they are joining a Bible-believing church. But unfortunately, there were some members who had left us grievously. They badmouthed the leadership of the church. Sometimes I wonder whether these brethren knew what they were doing. Voicing their grievances to people who do not know head or tail of their leaving can really hurt the Body of Christ.

Dear Lifer, let me tell you outright. Life Church is an imperfect church made up of imperfect people saved by grace who regularly gather together in this sanctuary on the Lord’s Day to worship their Perfect Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our membership is imperfect. In fact, "The church is the only fellowship in the world," said Robert B. Munger, "where the one requirement for membership is the unworthiness of the candidate."

Are you thinking of leaving Life Church for a better one? Listen to what this believer has to say, "If you could find the perfect church; without one fault or smear. For goodness sake, don’t join that church. You’d spoil the atmosphere. But since no perfect church exists; where people never sin; let’s cease looking for that church, and love the one we’re in!"

Finally, let me share with you very briefly a few characteristics of what I think a "perfect" church comprises:

What do you look for when you enter into the sanctuary? Do you look for your usual seat? Do you look for your friends? I would look for the presence of God. I would pray for the presence of God to be felt. Why gather together in His Name where His presence is not with us? When God’s people come together to worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords, they should be filled with awe and wonder. Can you sense His presence and power each Lord’s Day? Can seekers notice there’s something different in our midst?

Dear Lifer, I would like to encourage you to pray earnestly for the presence of God to be felt in the worship service. Would you plead with Him to do wonders in our midst? We need His presence, for without it, there is no blessing and power in our church.

Having been born again, what next? The next step to spirituality is maturity in Christ. Nowadays, many Lifers have been expressing more love for God, more obedience to God, more service to God and more time with God. I praise and thank God for His wonderful working in our midst.

If you are a young Christian, I want to encourage you to crave for the pure spiritual milk (i.e. the Word of God) so that by it you may grow up in your salvation (1 Peter 2:2). If you are an old-timer, I want to encourage you to leave the elementary teaching of Christ and go on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1).

For some of you, it is attending a nearby monthly NBC, a weekly Bible study, a church prayer meeting, or a spiritual growth and development class. Every Christian is a growing Christian. Do not stop growing spiritually. Do something now to enrich your Christian life!

Since there is no perfect pastor and perfect congregation, conflict is unavoidable and inevitable in the church (Philippians 4:2, 3). However, conflict must be dealt with directly instead of sweeping it under the carpet.

James exhorts us to confess our sins one to another and pray for one another. In doing so, there is spiritual healing and power in prayer (James 5:16).

Dear Lifer, remember the words of Jesus – "A house divided will not stand" (Matthew 12:25). So let us take heed to Paul’s advice to the Ephesians – "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). Every Lifer must strive to guard and maintain the unity of the church. We must not allow Satan to play havoc in our midst.

Paul reminds us that just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do (Romans 12:4-8).

Every Lifer has a part to play in the ministry of Life Church. Some of you may be thinking, "But how can I help? How do I know what I’m gifted at?" The answer is simple. Pray and ask God to show you. Meanwhile, try something!

Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34, 35).

The commandment is self-explanatory. True love tends to propagate itself. When there is love one for another, there is a true sense of community living. People see it and talk about it. Jesus’ love for Lazarus was noticed even by His enemies (John 11:36).

Dear Lifer, Life Church is definitely less than perfect. But that’s not really the issue. The real question is – "What are you doing to make it better?" Are you praying for God’s blessing and power to be expressed through this church? Are you seriously taking the next step in your relationship with God, which helps the entire church to take it’s next step? Are you dealing with conflicts directly, or are you going to sweep them under the carpet? Are you doing your part to see that the ministry effort of this church grows and expands? Are you committed to loving and supporting your fellow brethren beyond just a "Hi, how are you?" Are you helping to build a community of Christians here at Life to reach the world for Christ?

- Author Unknown -

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