When you ask most people what comes to mind when they hear the word church, you get quite a few answers. Some think of an architecturally beautiful building made of stone, some say a safe place, many think of a second family (especially if you've moved away from your true family), some think of pot lucks, ladies with hats and flowered dresses, and men with ties. Some who didn't grow up in a culture of faith think of nothing but a building they pass by, or a building where people waste time on things they consider invisible or make-believe. Unfortunately, some also think of a place where they don't feel they belong. Maybe they've been hurt by people within the church. Maybe they felt judged for where they were at when they tried it. Maybe they walked in and everyone there was very different from what they considered familiar. Either way, it's time to make a difference and help people understand what "the church" is meant to mean.
Church is a group of people, not a building. You can "have church" or "do church" in a building, in a field, in someone's home, so it's not just a building. But what defines this group as a church? I will be writing from my own experience and perspective, which is the Christian church, according to the Bible. I understand many other churches exist and I'm not saying they have no right to believe different from me. I'm just writing from the only place I know - my own life.
The early church was founded after Jesus came to teach about heaven and God, and the apostles began to preach the gospel - how ALL can be saved by confessing their sins and trusting that Jesus paid the price for our sins (the wages of sin are death) with His death. We are deeply and unconditionally loved by God and He made a way for us to be with Him throughout all eternity. The first church was simply called, "The Way". They followed the teachings of Christ, and then the apostles, and what they did back then literally changed the world around them.
In Acts 2 we read how the church (the people) devoted themselves to the teachings, eating together, praying together, they were of one mind, with the same focus, sold what they had to give to those in need, and they attended services at the Temple together. Imagine what that looked like to the world and culture around them. They weren't fighting amongst themselves. They weren't judgmental. They didn't strive for power, control, or authority of each other. They didn't amass wealth for themselves. They weren't filled with arrogance and pride. The first part of Acts 4:34 says, "There was not a needy person among them". Imagine how that got people's attention! A group with nothing material to speak of but they cared for each other in a way that NOT ONE needs person was among them! Would that get people's attention today? I bet it would. Even Jesus said that the world would recognize who His followers were by the way they loved one another. This made a real, concrete, difference to their culture. What better way to draw people in? Not by guilt. Not by manipulation. Not by pestering. Only by showing what's possible doing things God's way. The church made all the difference.
Forward a few thousand years and what has become of the church(es), especially in America? We have many, many denominations - even among those who all say they are Christ following believers. I'm not even talking about non-Christian churches. We have people who judge others, who think if you don't act like they do (publicly, not necessarily behind closed doors) than you should be shunned, others who decide to make church all about "the show" with very little actual teaching and substance for fear of offending new-comers. Jesus never called us to have divisions by religions, ethnicity, musical preferences, economic levels, or political preferences. Jesus taught us to love one another, where we're at (and by the way, that also means to accept others where THEY are at). Jesus wanted to creat a church who's body of believers were Jewish, Gentile, men, women, children, of many backgrounds, landowners, the poverty stricken, the diseased, the healed, TOGETHER. We need to get back to that original message taught by Jesus and the Apostles.
What will you do in 2017 to help your church become "the church" in such a positive way that it attracts others to God? to learn to trust Jesus? To find a new "family" with common interests like reaching the world? or to help those in need? How will you create an environment for those seeking answers to feel welcomed where they're at? How will you prevent others from turning away because they were meant to feel they didn't belong? It's time we stop being Consumers, thinking only about what's in it for ourselves - and start becoming Producers, thinking how to include others from all walks of life. It's time to invite others into a relationship with Jesus where they feel loved, where they can learn from the Bible's teachings, share a meal with fellow believers, pray together, attend services and groups and studies with others focused on becoming more like Christ, and helping those in need. Only then will be truly be "the church" as Jesus commanded us to be.
Make this your year to really make a difference in the world around you. Happy New Year!
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