Broken but Beautiful by Conway, Joseph P. NEUF 2024

American church participation has plummeted in recent decades. Abuse scandals and hypocrisy hang in the air. Weekly, I talk to friends and neighbors who have left church, even as many still identify as Christians. I get what theyre saying. When I consider the pain that so many have experienced in church life, the body of Christ sure seems broken. Its no wonder many dont find church to be worth it. But maybe theres more to the story. As a child, my family experienced deep crisis. I felt alone and vulnerable. Into that void, the church stepped in. I discovered a family, a people that have my back and forever changed my life. Even now, I see tangible ways the church works for the common good. The church possesses a resilient beauty that continually pushes through the brokenness. If we love Jesus, we have to eventually ask what Jesus loves. Surprising to me at times, Jesus loves the church, despite her brokenness. If we learn to see what Jesus sees, well discover a powerful, often untapped means towards human flourishing. No other social group offers what the church offers. Yes, the church is broken, but theres more. Shes beautiful.