What is church? Why bother going? What does that even mean to "go to church?" The question implies that we belong because we go to a location. Should we not belong because we are connected socially, emotionally, and spiritually to other Christ followers regardless of whether we meet in a location regularly?
Now, don’t get me wrong, it is absolutely healthy and necessary to be part of a local group of Christ followers. It is the why and the how that we need to chew on for ourselves. I am advocating for gathering of believers not their abolishments. Without going into the content of an earlier blog (see archives), we are supposed to be part of the Body and if we ever say “we don’t need you” it is a symptom of deeper sickness.
There are all kinds of church. Believers who meet in a cathedral, coffee shop, bar, hotel room, or living room all feel part of a church. Its not about three fast songs, two slow, offering, and a sermon. Or song 146 in hymnal followed by keeniling and praying and then communion with a wonderful homily. Or sitting in a coffee shop sharing and loving and laughing. Or about a team in Yemen secretely talking to people about Jesus. Its about all these meetings and more. What hubris/pride must you have to say one thing is church and one thing is not. If believers are getting together and loving each other and building one another up then that is church.
We are to gather as a community. We are supposed to be individuals who work and cooperate together. We are family. It is beyond getting fed and belonging (self centered but valid reasons). We can “get fed” other ways. Mutual building each other up is a main part but it doesn't end there. Being built up is not an end in itself. If I had an apple tree that grew in my yard and I took care of it so it would grow well and big and tall but it never produced apples then I would conclude there is something very wrong.
There needs to be an outward focus of the believers gathering because that is a theme through the whole Bible. Abraham was blessed in order to be a blessing to others. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and commanded the disciples (all believers) to do the same by going into all the world to preach the gospel.
The Church is a body. We are Worshipping God and want more people to worship God. Why? Because, as Zinzendorf said "Christ is worthy of the reward of His suffering" which are the souls of all humanity.
If we gather together yet do not have any component of loving our neighbour (whether down the street or in extreme poverty in India) then are we not just an obnoxious noise? Seriously, here are some ideas: Bible study could travel together to some least reached area of the world to teach new believers about the Bible; College Groups can do English corners at their local campuses; Crown Financial studies can travel to South East asia to help with micro-loans so that women don’t feel they have to sell themselves into prostitution; Sunday Schools can have a vacation bible school that is community friendly; band together with other groups to build an orphanage for AIDS orphans.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it is absolutely healthy and necessary to be part of a local group of Christ followers. It is the why and the how that we need to chew on for ourselves. I am advocating for gathering of believers not their abolishments. Without going into the content of an earlier blog (see archives), we are supposed to be part of the Body and if we ever say “we don’t need you” it is a symptom of deeper sickness.
There are all kinds of church. Believers who meet in a cathedral, coffee shop, bar, hotel room, or living room all feel part of a church. Its not about three fast songs, two slow, offering, and a sermon. Or song 146 in hymnal followed by keeniling and praying and then communion with a wonderful homily. Or sitting in a coffee shop sharing and loving and laughing. Or about a team in Yemen secretely talking to people about Jesus. Its about all these meetings and more. What hubris/pride must you have to say one thing is church and one thing is not. If believers are getting together and loving each other and building one another up then that is church.
We are to gather as a community. We are supposed to be individuals who work and cooperate together. We are family. It is beyond getting fed and belonging (self centered but valid reasons). We can “get fed” other ways. Mutual building each other up is a main part but it doesn't end there. Being built up is not an end in itself. If I had an apple tree that grew in my yard and I took care of it so it would grow well and big and tall but it never produced apples then I would conclude there is something very wrong.
There needs to be an outward focus of the believers gathering because that is a theme through the whole Bible. Abraham was blessed in order to be a blessing to others. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and commanded the disciples (all believers) to do the same by going into all the world to preach the gospel.
The Church is a body. We are Worshipping God and want more people to worship God. Why? Because, as Zinzendorf said "Christ is worthy of the reward of His suffering" which are the souls of all humanity.
If we gather together yet do not have any component of loving our neighbour (whether down the street or in extreme poverty in India) then are we not just an obnoxious noise? Seriously, here are some ideas: Bible study could travel together to some least reached area of the world to teach new believers about the Bible; College Groups can do English corners at their local campuses; Crown Financial studies can travel to South East asia to help with micro-loans so that women don’t feel they have to sell themselves into prostitution; Sunday Schools can have a vacation bible school that is community friendly; band together with other groups to build an orphanage for AIDS orphans.
Sounds like you need to form a "Sodality" in your living room - Of like minded people. Remember that from perspectives? Let the church structure nurture, and let the church people mission. This is not about church at all. Where one goes to church, what that church is doing or not, does not prevent one from rallying people to a "mission". Pick a project you can both live and die for, and go for supporting or accomplishing it. And Have fun!
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