Church, who needs it?

Sam was a recluse. He had been married, had a family, and been active in his church.  Around the age of 50, he abandoned family, friends, and church to live in a little cabin in the woods. He emerged to deliver a load of firewood and buy groceries then retreated to solitude. In the years that I knew him, Sam’s personal hygiene became non-existent. He wore the same filthy clothing, did not bath or shave. He grew increasingly delusional gripped by conspiracy theories about the world from which he had withdrawn. His loneliness only increased his problems. What a tragic life. When he died only a few of us were there to remember him and even those memories were just regrets about what might have been.

God designed us to live with people.  Sure, we get fed up with people, from time to time, don’t we?  When someone we love hurts or disappoints us we are tempted to withdraw, aren’t we? When our church goes through a tough time, leaders changing, programs we loved let go, we may seriously consider looking for another one. When being around people feels like too much work, we could conclude we can just live without them, like Sam did. But, we must not! Rubbing up against all the irregular edges of the ordinary folk who jostle you through life is God’s way of polishing you, making you a better person- really.

There’s a growing trend among followers of Christ to abandon the church, to go solo with their faith. I understand why that choice could be attractive.

·         Some Christians live fraudulently, laying claims to a life that they never actually live.

·         Decisions are sometimes made by church leadership with which we disagree.

·         Sometimes pastors get caught up in building their kingdom, not His, and people think, ‘why am I here?’ 

·         One of my issues is that some Christians are just plain mean! Quick to point out the sins and flaws in others, they won’t lift a hand to offer help, to part of a solution. They have been ‘saved’ for so long, they lack any empathy for the plight of those that the Bible reminds us are ‘slaves to sin.’

Too many Christians are saying, “Church? Who needs it?”  My answer, short and sweet, is – WE ALL DO! The Church, which in the New Testament is called the ‘ekklesia,’  literally – the called out ones- is God’s design for His people. She’s not perfect and never will be until her Lord returns to lead her. Michael Spencer, author of Mere Churchianity, writes: “The life of faith involves both time alone and togetherness. Jesus calls us as individuals. The decision to follow Him is an individual decision and commitment. But the life of a Jesus-follower involves both time spent in solitude with God and life in a community of faith. This is the balance we are seeking in Jesus-shaped spirituality.”

Note how the Word defines the ‘church.’ "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours." (1 Corinthians 1:2, NIV)  The church is not the building in which we gather.  We, the ones who are called by God and who respond with faith to follow Jesus, are the church. Our gifts complement those of others. Our combined efforts multiply results. Our shared burdens are lighter, our joys amplified!

My late father was fond of saying, “The church is a lot like the ark in the flood. It stinks inside, but it’s the only thing afloat.” An authentic community of people who are following Jesus will will cry as often as they rejoice.  They will have conflicts but will allow the grace of God and the spirit of forgiveness to keep them together. They will love those who fall and fail back to spiritual vitality instead of kicking them out into the street. Yes, and each church will hopefully recognize that she is part of the Church and that She is the Bride of Christ.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-22, NIV)

See you in church!