God's Church
A recent survey claims that '60% of churched adults want churches to continue gathering digitally'. We've been streaming on Facebook for over four years now - long before the pandemic forced us to go 'online only' for a time. I recently received an email promoting how we can do more online to "Create a Meaningful Digital Journey for Your Congregants".
We aren't planning on stopping our streaming service anytime soon, as it is a huge benefit to many who simply can't physically be here for various health reasons. However - personally, I'm not sure I want to do much more online. Yes, we have our website, our online giving, and our Facebook page - all very good and extremely useful things. The problem I see - while it's a nice option for those who can't physically be here - it becomes an easy option for those who can be here and choose not to.
I heard of a yoga studio that was forced to go online like so many businesses this past year. Initially, their class attendance went well when they offered a Zoom class where you had to log in within the initial five minutes of the class - or you couldn't participate. Some people were annoyed but made it a point to make sure to log in because the class was important to them. Later, in order to make it easier for people, they changed to an 'on demand' option where you could just watch anytime you liked. Turns out, although it was easier, attendance dropped significantly.
When people had to make a choice, a commitment to be present at a specific time, they made the time for it. When they could simply watch, whenever they wanted to, or not, the value of the class to them dropped. When what was previously an important two way participation, became one option among many - and its value changed.
Now of course, we're not a yoga class and I'm not suggesting we make it harder for anyone to view a service. But there's a difference in our commitment when we're 'participants' vs. a 'passive audience'. And again - I'm not talking about those who can't be here but those of us who choose not to be for other various reasons.
I guess the real question is - how important is Church, really? It's a question that a lot of people might ask. There are many who think they can be closer to God on the golf course rather than sitting in a pew on a Sunday morning. So - why do I think being a participant in Church is so important? The main reason...
I. The Church was started by Jesus
This idea of a 'religious organization', the Church as an institution wasn't man's idea. We didn't come up with the idea or its mission or purpose. Let's look at Matthew 16:13-18 (NIV)...
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" (14) They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." (15) "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" (16) Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
(17) Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. (18) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
Jesus said, 'my Church' - Jesus was the One who chose to move corporate worship from the temple to this entirely new thing. 'Church' means a gathering of believers, the whole assembly - not simply a building, but a group of believers 'called out' from the world. There are many different denominations, different groups gathered under a 'man made' name - but there is only One Church - and it was established by Jesus, and we are called to be a part of His Church. And we read in Colossians 1:15-18 (NIV)...
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (16) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. (17) He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (18) And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
So why is the Church so vitally important? Because it was Jesus' creation - Jesus is the Head of the Church. And an important idea that many miss if they only have a casual relationship with the Church or no relationship at all - the Church is...
A. The Bride of Christ
This imagery is repeated in the New Testament, this idea of the Church being the Bride of Jesus. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV)...
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (26) to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, (27) and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Why is the Church important? Because Jesus loves the Church! I'm not just talking about buildings or programs, those things are important - but Jesus loves the body of believers! Jesus loves His Church - His bride! He chose us! He specifically called us out of the world and into His Church, His bride.
Revelation 19:7-8 (NIV)
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. (8) Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
The Church, the body of believers is intended to do righteous acts, to 'do good things' in preparation for this wedding feast. In this imagery, the Church is amazingly important to Jesus.
Now, in this picture, this radiant Church, this glowing bride, holy and blameless... is that how we value the Church? If we take Jesus' view of the Church over the opinions of people, if we took the time to read God's Word about all He has to say about the Church, you would be hard pressed to not conclude that for followers of Jesus the Church is...
B. Not optional
If you are going to accept Jesus, you should accept and value His bride. If someone invited me to their home but then told me that my wife was not welcome there - I ain't going to that home. If you accept the Groom, you have to accept the Bride. The writer of Hebrews says...
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (24) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (25) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
You being called to be a part of Jesus' Church is not completely about you and your needs. You are called to be a part of the Church for the sake of others as well. Evidently, when this passage was written, many had the mistaken idea that meeting together regularly was only to meet their needs. And if they felt that their needs were better served by sleeping in, or running errands, or whatever personal reason they had - they believed that meeting together as the Church was optional.
Every member of the body has a purpose. Every purpose is different - but you are needed here to encourage, to minister to the needs of others, to join your voice together with other believers to praise God, to build relationships with other believers, to be encouraged knowing that you are not alone; that you are a part of something larger than yourself.
'Well, me not being here isn't that big of a deal. I could be there but online is more convenient. I can get so much more done if I watch later when everything on my list is done...' But if that's really the case, why did Jesus call you into His Church in the first place? You are called to serve the Church, His Church - you are needed!
Back to my original question - why do I believe that participation in the Church body is so important? Perhaps the better question is - do I value the Church like Jesus values His Church? And I think it's important to acknowledge something at this point...
II. The Church is not perfect
There have been many denominations and congregations rocked by scandals and the actions of evil men and false teachers. Many people have been very hurt by individuals and even leaders in the Church. And because the Church is full of imperfect people - the Church is not perfect.
And this is not an excuse - as if Churches shouldn't try to do better, or to change, to pursue holiness. But it is a fact - the Church is not perfect. I do not excuse evil - it should never be accepted or rationalized, but my point is - yes, there are hypocrites here. Yes, there are disagreements and shortcomings and an imperfect preacher and even fighting that sometimes goes on in the Church - but be very careful to separate the actions of imperfect people from your view of the value of the Bride of Christ.
Just as Jesus loved the Church enough to die for her - don't let your relationship with the Church be dictated by others' actions or attitudes. Trust me - few people can get as clear a view of the imperfections of the Church as the preacher. I see the Church, the annoyances and frustrations, the apathy and hypocrisy, warts and all - but I also see the beauty of Christ's bride. I see humble, faithful servants and gracious, persevering saints and amazing stories of grace and transformation. I see Jesus' plan to redeem and sanctify us through His body, His Church.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (13) Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (14) And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
If we in the Church were perfect, we wouldn't have to be commanded to 'bear with' and forgive one another. Over the years, I have personally had conflicts with various individuals here. Sometimes it was completely my fault, and I needed to apologize. Other times it wasn't my fault - but I'm still called to love my brothers and sisters. I've shared this before - a quote from one minister, "Church is where I go to worship with people I don't necessarily like."
If everyone always agreed with me, was completely like me and was easy to get along with - I'd never be challenged; I'd never grow. Without a community of believers - I'd never have to learn to see things through other people's eyes, I'd never have to learn deeper compassion, I'd never have to learn to set aside my own needs and serve others.
The plan for the Church, as established by Jesus, was for it to be perfect. It's in our living it out where we stumble and wrestle with its beauty and holiness, striving to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. And as the people of the Church are not perfect yet - we have to be gracious with ourselves and others until we get there.
And one last thing I want us to think about - if you question the importance of the Church, if you ever feel a bit disillusioned with 'organized religion' - I want to ask...
A. Do you pray for the Church?
I wanted to share some thoughts from an article written by a young man who had grown up in the Church but left in his college years because of his personal frustrations with the Church. He wrote...
"I had been complaining about all the ways the church, didn't 'get it,' when a friend asked me, 'Yes, that's probably all very true, but have you been praying for it?'
Instead of understanding myself to be a part of the corporate Church, I saw each of us as our own little dwelling of the Spirit, responsible to keep our own act clean. By praying for the Church and serving it, I began to love it like I never really had before. Instead of viewing it through the noncommittal, arm's distance, American, semi-apathy I had settled into, I saw its weaknesses and failures in the stark, glaring light of love.
The thing about that love, though, is that it didn't drive me away, but drew me deeper in. I came to the point where walking away wasn't even an option. In light of prayer and time spent serving her, I began to realize that some of my earlier frustrations with her were more to do with my youth and haste than her flaws. She turned out to be more holy and beautiful than I gave her credit for. I began to see all of the wonderful works Jesus was working in His Bride that I'd simply been too jaded and frustrated to notice before.
It's not so much that I found out that she didn't really have any flaws, it's that I found out I had some too. In fact, following Jesus without her didn't really make any sense. It wasn't an issue of the church getting better to fit my wants, needs and expectations, but realizing how skewed and myopic some of my wants and judgments really were (and still are).
Pray for the church. Pray for her health, her life, her forgiveness, her sanctification and mission in the world. Dare to believe that Jesus is still sanctifying His Bride until that day when she is presented to Him in glory. I know for myself, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Wise words... And one more question as we consider this imperfect Church...
B. Do you serve the Church?
Serving, being involved in some capacity - makes a huge difference in the perspective of one who sits on the sidelines and watches vs. one who actively participates.
Now, for those who don't have a choice, those who would love to be here but can't - serving is harder to do 'online', but it's not impossible. You just have to be a bit creative in your limited circumstances. But I promise you - whatever your situation - if you make it a choice to just reach out to another believer regularly - the value you place on the Church will grow.
And I know I'm walking a fine line here. I want to encourage all of us to be here, but don't want to discourage those who can't be here. But for those who have had to rely on 'online services' even before the pandemic, I don't think I'm telling you anything you don't already know...
So at this point I'm going to jump to our favorite question...
So What?
You being a very regular part of this Church is important. Your relationship with the Church is not about getting a 'gold star' for perfect attendance. Going to Church doesn't get you into Heaven. Jesus is the only way to the Father. But if the value you place on the Church doesn't match up with the value that Jesus places on the Church, you need to evaluate things a bit.
Much of what the Church should be doing does take place outside of these four walls. The Church is called out of the world, to gather together and then to Go Out into the world to spread the Good News of Jesus. It's not a matter of 'can you get to Heaven without going to Church' - the question really is, 'If you want to follow Jesus - why wouldn't you do your very best to be here?'
Jesus loves the Church and is preparing her for His return. Please, I strongly encourage you, pray for the Church, serve the Church - and talk to those outside of the Church about Jesus. Make it a priority to be here every Sunday morning if you are physically able. Every part of the body is needed - you are needed here. May God bless us as we work 'til Christ's return!