I’ve been seeing this trend with the statement “we left the church, not God” on TikTok so, I find it necessary to express my concerns.

While I understand the sentiment behind this statement, I believe it risks diluting the fundamental mission of Jesus to the world, the apostles’ call, and the mandate to spread the message of salvation and make disciples of all nations, baptizing believers in the name of the Trinity (Matt. 28:19-20)

The Church, as the embodiment of Christ’s teachings and the spiritual community of believers, remains an integral part of our spirituality. It serves as the moral conscience of society and, most importantly, represents the Father’s House on Earth (John 2:16). Therefore, it is crucial that we do not abandon the Church entirely. Instead, we should strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who, during His time on Earth, purged the Temple of anything that dishonoured the Father (John 2:13-16).

We must acknowledge that believers and Church leaders can be susceptible to imperfections and missteps. However, this does not mean we should simply abandon the Church. Rather, we should actively work to cleanse the Church of anything that undermines its purpose and deviates from the teachings of Christ. Just as Jesus confronted the Pharisees and the moneychangers, we, too, should be unafraid to challenge any practices or behaviours within the Church that contradict the values it should uphold.

Our commitment to the Church should not waver, for it is within this community of believers that we find support, guidance, and collective worship. The Church, when true to its calling, provides a sanctuary for individuals to deepen their relationship with God, strengthen their faith, and engage in meaningful fellowship with fellow believers. It is through the Church that we can collectively serve as a force for positive change in the world, spreading love, compassion, and justice.

By remaining within the Church and actively striving to align it with the principles of the Gospel, we can effectively address any issues or shortcomings that may arise. Our mission is not to abandon the Church but to become agents of transformation from within.

Let us follow the example of Jesus, who sought to purify the Temple and bring it back to its original purpose of true worship (in spirit and truth) and communion with the Father.

– Fr. James Anyaegbu