Q. My church recently split in a big fight between members. Now, I have really lost my faith in churches. What did God have in mind when he created the church? How can I believe in churches again?

A. I know how you feel. I attended a church that went through a very unpleasant split, too. What helped me in that mess was being reminded that the church is the body of Christ, but it is made up of sinful people just like you and me. As much as we wish the church was perfect, everything this side of heaven is flawed.

However, it is still important for us to participate in church because the Bible reveals to us that the church literally represents the body of Christ. Paul wrote in his first letter to the church in Corinth, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27, NIV). The Bible also says that within the body of Christ we all have been given special spiritual gifts. When we are using our gifts properly, the body of Christ thrives. The church needs us, and we need the church.

Sometimes, we Christians let our egos and sinful natures take over and the church has problems. I believe our job is not to complain and leave the church, but make it better. When your actual body has a disease, the rest of the body goes to work to heal itself. That's what we need to do.

After Paul talks about living as a body, he says: "And now I will show you the most excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31, NIV). And you know what he means as the most excellent way? Love.

We will be hurt by problems in the church because humans are flawed and sinful. But nevertheless, the church is the body of Christ and our job is to love one another and love the church just as Jesus does. In that way, we can make it more of what he always had in mind.

Jim is an author, longtime youth worker and founder of HomeWord, a group seeking to honor God through strong families. Due to the volume of mail, Jim cannot answer every letter.

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