Reflections from a Church Planter
“I have done Church all over the world.” This is an expression that a friend of mine has used with me on several occasions when speaking about his Church experiences over the course of his life. To be quite honest, his expression checks my spirit every time I hear it. I suppose this is because it seems to connote something negative about the Church and I love the Church and understand it to be the precious bride of Christ. And further more, I understand our calling, as believers, to be the Church not merely do the Church.
Church Shopping and Commitment to Community
It would appear to me that many people today do Church like they do their grocery shopping. Their thinking goes something like this, “this week I think we should eat a little healthier so we’ll shop at the Trader Joes Church.” This is the Church that promotes strong Bible theology.
Well, with Bibles in hand, they go do Church and amen the pastor loud enough to be heard by all and then, off they go to do their life, enough knowledge to keep sin at bay and the devil away.
The following week this same family may decide to go to the Super Walmart Church. This is the big Church which has something for everyone, groceries and more! Many people enjoy these type of Churches because they are so large they can do Church without having to be the Church. In other words, worship without sacrifice or service.
On the third Sunday of the month, if the family decides to crawl out of bed at all, the head of the household (whoever that might be) may decide to drive across town and visit the Church best known for its great “praise and worship.” His or her thinking might be something like this; “I feel deep need to experience God through praise and worship.” So, with hands raised high and voices lifted to the sky these folks go to feel Church, I mean God.
And finally, on week four, if the head of the house feels that there are groceries enough in the frig he/she may decide to make it a Me day. You know what I mean, a, free day or to be hyper spiritual they may call it a family day.
All right my blog friends, I’m sorry if my sarcasms are a little over the top or if it appears that I am being a little legalistic. Please understand that I am merely flushing out my reflections on this Church planting experience as it relates to some of the people I have observed along the way.
Four questions to consider related to the local church:
(scripture references should help in answering these questions)
1. Does God expect me to be committed to a local Church?
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. Hebrews 10:25
2. Does God expect me to rank myself under a Pastors authority?
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17
3. Does God excuse me from the responsibility of serving in the Church?
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
4. Am I really needed in the local Church?
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 1 Corinthians 12:21
Benefits of belonging to a local church.
1. Human Touch: In this age of Facebook and social media we are afforded many opportunities to connect with people in real time via the internet. But human touch is absent, an essential aspect to healthy spirituality. And the Bible is clear that Church is a place where “people touch” is championed. A Scripture that comes to mind is 1Thes.5:16 which states, greet one another with a holy kiss. This same command is found four other times in the New Testament, which reflects the heart of a God who desires that His people show affection one to another.
DVD players and on demand TV are replacing the need to go to the community Theater . God forbid that we might have to sit next to our neighbor while watching a movie!
Alright, maybe this holy kiss thing is a little much for some who would argue that these commands were cultural expectations of the day. Well, at least Church ought to be a place were holy hugs are the norm. You see, we all need a hug don’t we?
2. Support: The local Church is called to be, the support group of all support groups. The Bible says that we Christians are to suffer with one another, praying for one another, encouraging one another, love one another, instruct one another, worship with one another, etc……
Healthy Christians understand that God calls people to belong not just believe
3. Opportunities to express our giftedness: You see, the Bible is clear that all believers have been gifted with certain talents by God which are to be expressed within the community of believers for the building up of the body of Christ. Belonging to a local Church allows us to serve one another through our giftedness.
4. Community: In a society that is becoming more an more isolated from one another the Church is still and always will be God’s expression for community. In the book of Acts the Church is described in terms of community,
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:44-47
I have actually had people tell me that they won’t belong to any Church because they only need to be apart of God’s Universal Church. What such people are really saying is, I won’t commit to any one group of people or leadership team. Its about Me remember!
5. Opportunities to grow in the knowledge of Christ:
Pastors are equipped to study the Bible and preach to God’s local family each week and God has not intended believers to merely get their feeding via sermon downloads over the web or radio broadcast.
Reasons people don’t commit to a local Church
I suppose there are many reasons why people just "do Church" rather than commitment to a Church. Through the years I have heard it all; the pastor is not in tune with needs of the people, the worship service is lacking, the people aren’t friendly, people in the Church have hurt me, the kids program isn’t up to par, the kids don’t connect, the Church is all about money, the Church is to big, to small, to legalistic, to gracious, to young, to old, full of hypocritics, etc……….
Friends, the church is made up of people just like you and me, flawed to the core, screwed up and dysfunctional yet, none of the excuses above will suffice and excuse us from being committed to God's chosen community.
No perfect Church
I can still recall my old pastor telling new members joining his Church that they would not be joing a perfect Church but with people serving a Perfect God. Yes, there are all kinds of imperfect people in the family of God just like you and me. However, this should not be an excuse for only "doing Church" and not committing to a Church. God has called all believers love his Church and be committed.
