---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The problem with churches of all sorts,”…"
description: "\"“The problem with churches of all sorts,” he continued, “is that so often they ignore the key teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, like the doctrine o..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e20/david-holdsworth-14918_churches_the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-h_1674928.jpg"
---

#  The problem with churches of all sorts,” he continued, “is…

![“The problem with churches of all sorts,” he continued, “is that so often they ignore the key teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, like the doctrine of love. So often we ask God to be on our side instead of asking that we be blessed enough to be on his. That said, the wheat and the tares must grow…” quote by David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e20/david-holdsworth-14918_churches_the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-h_1674928.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e20/david-holdsworth-14918_churches_the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-h_1674928.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e20/david-holdsworth-14918_churches_the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-h_1674928.jpg)

> ““The problem with churches of all sorts,” he continued, “is that so often they ignore the key teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, like the doctrine of love. So often we ask God to be on our side instead of asking that we be blessed enough to be on his. That said, the wheat and the tares must grow up together, and in the days of harvest they will be separated properly.””

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He criticizes churches for neglecting love teachings, emphasizing humility and the coexistence of good and evil before divine judgment.

**In simple terms:** Churches often ignore love, focusing on self‑interest rather than humility.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize humility and love over self‑benefit.

Themes

religion humility justice

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal reflection
- community leadership
- interfaith dialogue

Key Concepts

theology ethics dualism

Questions to Reflect On

- How can churches better embody love?
- What does “wheat and tares” mean today?

A Different Perspective

Religious institutions may resist self‑critique, limiting reform.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Churches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/churches/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrine/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Harvest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harvest/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Sermon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sermon/) [Sermon on the mount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sermon-on-the-mount/) [Society-humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society-humanity/)

## Related quotes

> [Honestly, I would think I would go way back to Biblical times and be one of the guys who saw Jesus' Sermon on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-dolley/honestly-i-would-think-i-would-go-way-back-to-biblical-times-and-be/)

[Jason Dolley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-dolley/)

> [The message of Jesus is summed up partly in the Sermon on the Mount, and partly when he begins his ministry and quotes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-wakefield/the-message-of-jesus-is-summed-up-partly-in-the-sermon-on-the-mount/)

[Dan Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-wakefield/)

> [The problem is not that the churches are filled with empty pews, but that the pews are filled with empty people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-w-shedd/the-problem-is-not-that-the-churches-are-filled-with-empty-pews-but/)

[Charlie W Shedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-w-shedd/)

> [The problem with our churches today is that the lead pastor is some sissy boy who wears cardigan sweaters, has The Carpenters dialed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/the-problem-with-our-churches-today-is-that-the-lead-pastor-is-some/)

[Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/)

> [If India adopted the doctrine of love as an active part of her religion and introduced it in her politics. Swaraj would descend upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/if-india-adopted-the-doctrine-of-love-as-an-active-part-of-her/)

[Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/)

> [“Humanism is the purest expression of your soul as a human. It has no God to be concerned with, except for the living Gods,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/humanism-is-the-purest-expression-of-your-soul-as-a-human-it-has-no/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [In my religion, there would be no exclusive doctrine; all would be love, poetry, and doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-connolly/in-my-religion-there-would-be-no-exclusive-doctrine-all-would-be-love/)

[Cyril Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-connolly/)

> [“Charitable initiatives drive the future of our neighborhoods.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/charitable-initiatives-drive-the-future-of-our-neighborhoods/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [“Champion inclusivity, honor differences and seek diverse perspectives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/champion-inclusivity-honor-differences-and-seek-diverse-perspectives/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [“In the midst of a national reckoning on race relations in America something extraordinary is happening. We are building a winning edge against divisiveness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/in-the-midst-of-a-national-reckoning-on-race-relations-in-america/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [“Stay in your own lane, hustle hard, and use your service as a way to add value to the community.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-in-your-own-lane-hustle-hard-and-use-your-service-as-a-way-to/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [“Focus on your work. Do what you're great at. Don't compare yourself to others and or waste time criticizing the lives and work of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/focus-on-your-work-do-what-you-re-great-at-don-t-compare-yourself-to/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [“They were determined to find something mechanically wrong with him - because broken machines are easier to fix. p303”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-shriver/they-were-determined-to-find-something-mechanically-wrong-with-him/)

[Lionel Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-shriver/)

> [“I long for the day when people embrace our common humanity and respect diversity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-m-wiemer/i-long-for-the-day-when-people-embrace-our-common-humanity-and/)

[Liza M. Wiemer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-m-wiemer/)

> [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

## More by David Holdsworth

> [“In my travels I have encountered worship styles that are so varied. Lately I have been thinking of the loud nature of much worship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/in-my-travels-i-have-encountered-worship-styles-that-are-so-varied/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“Love come into my soul. Cleanse me my Love, my God. Love, You are pure and holy. Free me my Love, my King.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/love-come-into-my-soul-cleanse-me-my-love-my-god-love-you-are-pure/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“Father, I serve the Messiah, the Christ. Not any Caesar. His kingdom is not of this world, and no man need fight for it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/father-i-serve-the-messiah-the-christ-not-any-caesar-his-kingdom-is/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“I seek you. I long for you. I seek with all my heart. In this world of sin, We need a saviour. "Seek and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/i-seek-you-i-long-for-you-i-seek-with-all-my-heart-in-this-world-of/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“Peope say 'We must fight for peace.' But, to fight is to end peace. Peace is not a fight, it is a state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/peope-say-we-must-fight-for-peace-but-to-fight-is-to-end-peace-peace/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“We are the legions of hope. We are his hands and feet. We are the chosen. Gifted by Grace, Gifted to serve. Called out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/we-are-the-legions-of-hope-we-are-his-hands-and-feet-we-are-the/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“Are you prepared to follow the Lamb whithersoever? The Lord does as He chooses. He dispenses miracles as He chooses for His own glorious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/are-you-prepared-to-follow-the-lamb-whithersoever-the-lord-does-as-he/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“Once there was an old man who took his grandson a walk in the countryside. The old man's face was creased with wrinkles. Like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/once-there-was-an-old-man-who-took-his-grandson-a-walk-in-the/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“Jesus flips the tables. A poor man spends day and night praying in front of a golden statue. He begs that his family be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/jesus-flips-the-tables-a-poor-man-spends-day-and-night-praying-in/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“You may not see me, but I am near. Travel through time. Travel through space. Travel through eternity. Some have entertained me, but were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/you-may-not-see-me-but-i-am-near-travel-through-time-travel-through/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“Your Grace is sufficient. Your Sacrafice our hope. We are broken. You are broken - broken for us. We are beautiful. You are beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/your-grace-is-sufficient-your-sacrafice-our-hope-we-are-broken-you/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“Precious to the Lord are the death of His saints." DEATH IS NOT FINAL. God has set eternity in the hearts of men. Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/precious-to-the-lord-are-the-death-of-his-saints-death-is-not-final/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“No weapon formed against me shall prosper." This verse is often used in a triumphant way. As if to say "nothing can ever go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/no-weapon-formed-against-me-shall-prosper-this-verse-is-often-used-in/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“When I look at this world I feel a deep pain. A burden in my soul. This overwhelming sadness threatens to engulf me, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/when-i-look-at-this-world-i-feel-a-deep-pain-a-burden-in-my-soul-this/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

> [“A Stand (based on a true story) The lone figure emerges from the mist, his long white beard blows in the wind. A peculiar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/a-stand-based-on-a-true-story-the-lone-figure-emerges-from-the-mist/)

[David Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

[Explore all 45 David Holdsworth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/)

## More Churches quotes

> [Good churches are not built by bad men; at least, there must be probity and enthusiasm somewhere in the society. These minsters were neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/good-churches-are-not-built-by-bad-men-at-least-there-must-be-probity/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Those churches have closed down or have been merged with a church that has a more positive vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hybels/those-churches-have-closed-down-or-have-been-merged-with-a-church/)

[Bill Hybels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hybels/)

> [Churches have given us great treasures such as music and architecture. Whether that pays for the harm they have done is another matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/churches-have-given-us-great-treasures-such-as-music-and-architecture/)

[Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/)

> [I support gay unions. I think the government should get out of the marriage business completely - leave marriages to the churches. And grant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-johnson/i-support-gay-unions-i-think-the-government-should-get-out-of-the/)

[Gary Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-johnson/)

> [I am writing to all the churches to let it be known that I will gladly die for God if only you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-antioch/i-am-writing-to-all-the-churches-to-let-it-be-known-that-i-will/)

[Ignatius of Antioch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-antioch/)

> [Prior to the Civil War, most libraries were either privately owned or housed in universities or churches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/prior-to-the-civil-war-most-libraries-were-either-privately-owned-or/)

[Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/)

> [By comparison with a night-club, churches are positively gay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/by-comparison-with-a-night-club-churches-are-positively-gay/)

[Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/)

> [It takes more than a great church to reach a city, it takes a great movement of churches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/it-takes-more-than-a-great-church-to-reach-a-city-it-takes-a-great/)

[Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/)

> [“Gukora icyaha uri wenyine biroroha ariko kuramya Imana wenyine biragora”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-paul-gitwaza/gukora-icyaha-uri-wenyine-biroroha-ariko-kuramya-imana-wenyine/)

[Dr Paul Gitwaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-paul-gitwaza/)

> [people say churches are half empty, they're not, they're too big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-lock/people-say-churches-are-half-empty-they-re-not-they-re-too-big/)

[Sean Lock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-lock/)

> [Many new churches, I regret to say, can be described from the design point of view only as holy terrors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-boyd/many-new-churches-i-regret-to-say-can-be-described-from-the-design/)

[Robin Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-boyd/)

> [If there were no ministers and no priests, how long would there be any churches?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemuel-k-washburn-2/if-there-were-no-ministers-and-no-priests-how-long-would-there-be-any/)

Lemuel K. Washburn

> [If real churches exist, such persons are not called on to make them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-nelson-darby/if-real-churches-exist-such-persons-are-not-called-on-to-make-them/)

[John Nelson Darby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-nelson-darby/)

> [Churches that should be talking about the work of Christ on the cross and the grace of God for sinners are stuck on recycled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/churches-that-should-be-talking-about-the-work-of-christ-on-the-cross/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [It teaches us how to run our lives individually. How to run our families, how to run our churches. But it teaches us how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/it-teaches-us-how-to-run-our-lives-individually-how-to-run-our/)

[Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/)

[Browse all 201 Churches quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/churches/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The problem with churches of all sorts,” he continued, “is that so often they ignore the key teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, like the doctrine of love. So often we ask God to be on our side instead of asking that we be blessed enough to be on his. That said, the wheat and the tares must grow up together, and in the days of harvest they will be separated properly.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "David Holdsworth"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-he-continued-is-that-so-often/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Churches"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-he-continued-is-that-so-often/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e20/david-holdsworth-14918_churches_the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-h_1674928.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e20/david-holdsworth-14918_churches_the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-h_1674928.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e20/david-holdsworth-14918_churches_the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-h_1674928.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The problem with churches of all sorts,” he continued, “is that so often they ignore the key teachings of…” — David Holdsworth",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "David Holdsworth",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holdsworth/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The problem with churches of all...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-he-continued-is-that-so-often/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holdsworth/the-problem-with-churches-of-all-sorts-he-continued-is-that-so-often/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
