Many rallying cries today beckon Jesus followers to abandon the church for something more "authentic" or "relevant." Some even condemn loyalty to the church as disloyalty to Jesus. It's time to turn our ears and eyes to God's Word, remember the beauty of the Bride of Christ, and fall in love with her again.

We need to consider why we must continue to love and defend the church in spite of her flaws. As pastors, we must not abandon the call to be "shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood" (Acts 20:28).