What are we doing??

We are studying 1 Corinthians on Wednesdays, and as I was preparing for the lesson last night I came across a verse that struck me, and struck me hard.  Its the kind of verse that you read and then you can't get it off your mind until you are sure you have the right answer....

"In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good" (1 Corinthians 11:17, NIV)

As a church we do a lot of "meetings" or "gatherings".  Are they doing more harm than good, or is that even possible?

Now of course when Paul wrote this to the church at Corinth they where doing some pretty corrupt things.  The big one was they where drinking the wine to get drunk at communion instead of commemorating what Christ did.  So we may not be doing that, but as a church and how we appear to the community, are we doing more harm than good.

Are my lessons doing more harm than good?  Are our worship times doing more harm than good?  Is my counseling doing more harm than good?  Is my discipleship doing more harm than good?  Is my representation of Christ doing more harm than good?  Is my ministry doing more harm than good?  Is my church doing more harm than good?  I don't like these questions, but they must be asked...

I love God, I love His people, and I love His gift of the church.  As a church is He happy with what we are doing and how we represent Him?  Are we showing grace?  Are we showing mercy?  Are we showing forgiveness?  Are we showing equality?  Are we showing Love? are we teaching the gospel

or

are we forcing our personal opinions?  are we teaching hate in the name of Love?  are we focused inwardly instead of outwardly?  are we becoming uncaring?  are we becoming fake?  are we becoming a social club?  are we becoming dogmatic? 

My head is overwhelmed with so many thoughts as I examine my own life.

In the end I have come to the conclusion that for the most part I believe that what God is doing in my ministry, in my church, and in my life is that God is indeed resiliently doing good and may He show me in the future if at anytime we (or I) begin to do more "harm than good".

Have a great day!! Chris