How do you define “the church” ? To certain believers in Jesus, this may appear to be a simple, rather easily defined matter. Personaly, I think countless people lose sight of the meaning behind the word “church” and what it implies. The following verses may be rarely quoted, but they’re just an example of what I think expresses what a church is.
1 Corinthians 16:18-20
The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
Colossians 1:23-25
Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Just a quick personal story for the sake of my note – I was driving with a friend from work the other day, and we passed a church I used to attend years ago. It was being demolished and something else was being built on the land. My friend is not a Christian and she wondered out loud whether God would strike people down for destroying the church. I actually surprised myself and said “the church is not a building, it’s made of the people”. I say surprised myself, because I don’t always react with the right words! She still seemed to think destroying a church building would hold serious reprecussions.
It just made me think of how many people honestly believe that. Don’t get me wrong when I say this, but plently of people in churches are so hung up about petty issues – someone graffiti’s on the church, it’s like a mortal sin, but if they graffitti a train, meh, that’s what happens. I don’t know if you understand I’m not mocking people who care about their church building, but the true value lies in the people. Not the building which we’ve chosen to use to worship God in on a Sunday, or to invite people to. It is definitely a tool God has given us, but as the above verse says “the church that meets at their house…” The “church” consists of people, who in that case, met at a house. The venue is quite irrelevant when people are believers in God and gather together in His name. The other verse says “for the sake of his body, which is the church”. You really cannot get more clear than that. The church is Christ’s body. A very important expression of His love and longing for more people to join Him in heaven. Well, the church could ideally be explained like that. Many people who have been hurt within a “church building enviroment” would disagree on those points.
People have lost sight of the real reason God wants us to meet together. Instead of unity, the topic is church development. Instead of outreach, the focus is on expanding the worship team. I go to a great church – and I’m sure plently of people do – so this is not meant to be a generalization of every church. But people outside of God see us so differently. It scares me how many misconceptions I’ve heard about “the church”. I say scares me, because the very fact people view something God created for His outreach to them has turned them away from Him in such a strong way is scary. It’s amazing, the church has influence yet so much of it has been used to set people even more firmly against them. In saying this, I understand not many people would like to come into a church and hear about tithing, or reaching out to the lost, when they themselves have not much concept of any of these things we view as so vitally important.
There are many reasons people could be turned away, great church trying to follow God’s plan for them or not. I do realize people are all individual, and some will just turn away regardless of the sincerity and open love people have for them. Others will make pre-judgements, or general judgements on “the church” and plently of them will be more than happy to twist church’s outreach statements to make them sound wrong. We can only do what God speaks into our lives – it’s not our responsibility to pressure people into believing the church is a place they should come – God is the one in their heart, we can only plant the seeds. How I think, is more by living our daily lives in a way that reflects our love, our commitment to a higher cause of loving our neighbour, dealing honestly, being open, generous, helping out people in need. People don’t always see the church in a postiive light, but how do they see you?
Hah, I just realized something. I have so many friends who say they hate the church, but knowing I love Jesus, they say I’m a “good sort” and if everyone who went to church was like me, maybe they’d go! Obviously that’s kind of awkward for me, but them saying that actually makes me sad. That me, little imperfect me, is who they’re basing their observations of Christians on. I know when people know you, it’s easy to do that, it’s just a huge thing to hear you’re someone’s “Jesus-example” if you like. God should be the example – not me. I hope it’s God shining out of me, but it’s just hard to know that people are so set against the “church” representation.
This is honestly just a set up to another note that I really wanted to write (the contraversial one?!). I didn’t even plan on writing this now, but it’s happened. Next one will be hopefully following up soon, I’ll see if people take to this one ;) Hah, it’s not going to stop me writing :)
1 Corinthians 16:18-20
The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
Colossians 1:23-25
Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Just a quick personal story for the sake of my note – I was driving with a friend from work the other day, and we passed a church I used to attend years ago. It was being demolished and something else was being built on the land. My friend is not a Christian and she wondered out loud whether God would strike people down for destroying the church. I actually surprised myself and said “the church is not a building, it’s made of the people”. I say surprised myself, because I don’t always react with the right words! She still seemed to think destroying a church building would hold serious reprecussions.
It just made me think of how many people honestly believe that. Don’t get me wrong when I say this, but plently of people in churches are so hung up about petty issues – someone graffiti’s on the church, it’s like a mortal sin, but if they graffitti a train, meh, that’s what happens. I don’t know if you understand I’m not mocking people who care about their church building, but the true value lies in the people. Not the building which we’ve chosen to use to worship God in on a Sunday, or to invite people to. It is definitely a tool God has given us, but as the above verse says “the church that meets at their house…” The “church” consists of people, who in that case, met at a house. The venue is quite irrelevant when people are believers in God and gather together in His name. The other verse says “for the sake of his body, which is the church”. You really cannot get more clear than that. The church is Christ’s body. A very important expression of His love and longing for more people to join Him in heaven. Well, the church could ideally be explained like that. Many people who have been hurt within a “church building enviroment” would disagree on those points.
People have lost sight of the real reason God wants us to meet together. Instead of unity, the topic is church development. Instead of outreach, the focus is on expanding the worship team. I go to a great church – and I’m sure plently of people do – so this is not meant to be a generalization of every church. But people outside of God see us so differently. It scares me how many misconceptions I’ve heard about “the church”. I say scares me, because the very fact people view something God created for His outreach to them has turned them away from Him in such a strong way is scary. It’s amazing, the church has influence yet so much of it has been used to set people even more firmly against them. In saying this, I understand not many people would like to come into a church and hear about tithing, or reaching out to the lost, when they themselves have not much concept of any of these things we view as so vitally important.
There are many reasons people could be turned away, great church trying to follow God’s plan for them or not. I do realize people are all individual, and some will just turn away regardless of the sincerity and open love people have for them. Others will make pre-judgements, or general judgements on “the church” and plently of them will be more than happy to twist church’s outreach statements to make them sound wrong. We can only do what God speaks into our lives – it’s not our responsibility to pressure people into believing the church is a place they should come – God is the one in their heart, we can only plant the seeds. How I think, is more by living our daily lives in a way that reflects our love, our commitment to a higher cause of loving our neighbour, dealing honestly, being open, generous, helping out people in need. People don’t always see the church in a postiive light, but how do they see you?
Hah, I just realized something. I have so many friends who say they hate the church, but knowing I love Jesus, they say I’m a “good sort” and if everyone who went to church was like me, maybe they’d go! Obviously that’s kind of awkward for me, but them saying that actually makes me sad. That me, little imperfect me, is who they’re basing their observations of Christians on. I know when people know you, it’s easy to do that, it’s just a huge thing to hear you’re someone’s “Jesus-example” if you like. God should be the example – not me. I hope it’s God shining out of me, but it’s just hard to know that people are so set against the “church” representation.
This is honestly just a set up to another note that I really wanted to write (the contraversial one?!). I didn’t even plan on writing this now, but it’s happened. Next one will be hopefully following up soon, I’ll see if people take to this one ;) Hah, it’s not going to stop me writing :)
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