“The Church is made up of hypocrites” is a phrase I often hear or read – and I take the point.
On one hand I want to totally agree and say of course ‘Amen’ – of course the church is made up of hypocrites – Jesus came for those who realised they weren’t perfect; for those whose characters were out of shape. As Jesus put it – “it’s not the well that need a doctor, but the sick”. Tony Campolo makes the point that saying the church is full of hypocrites is similar to saying “the hospital is full of sick people” – of course it is, that’s what it’s there for! The church is a centre of grace, where sick people (and by that I mean those who realise their sickness, since really we are all sick, sinful, broken human beings) can discover the love of God who frees us, releases us, forgives us, and beings to shape us to become the people he created us to be.
On the other hand, I recognise the failures of myself and many others who are hypocritical and give the church a bad name – we say one thing and we do another; we believe one thing and say another. And indeed something must be done.
The opposite of hypocrisy is integrity. Integrity literally means to ‘be integrated’ – for all the parts of us to be together rather than separate. I heard a great definition of integrity this week. Andy Matheson of Oasis said that integrity is where our mouths, minds, hearts, hands and feet are all joined up, so that what we think is reflected in what we say; what we say is reflected in what do; and what we do is a reflection of what we believe. Hypocrisy is simply disintegration of hands, heart, mouths, and mind.
When I heard this I had two reactions: firstly, a feeling of humility – I am a hypocrite – I say things that I don’t act out, and I act out things that I don’t believe are right. I think we can all say that. Secondly, I have a desire to be integrated, to be joined up so that I am One person, rather than series of disintegrated thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions. You can’t trust or follow someone like that, and leaders, indeed all human beings must be people of integrity.
So, an old prayer to end:
“God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.”
