For the "Churchless"
In Proverbs 24:26, Solomon says: "An honest answer is a sign of true friendship."
Let me start by saying that I've been there... and that for this post, I'm going to borrow from Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life quite heavily (simply because when I read his section on this topic, it stated precisely and concisely just about every thought I've ever had on the matter). I also want you to know that I am not singling out Scott and pointing fingers at him. He just provided a very nice segueway into something that has been on my heart for the past couple of years, actually. I love Scott--He's been an awesome encouragement and example as I find my own way back to God, and back into His family. He is my brother in Christ, and I say what I say in a spirit of truth, love, and encouragement. This is not even directed at him literally, but rather more figuratively, because it's for all the people that have expressed such sentiments. That being said, let's dive in:
There are sooooo many directions I'd love to go on this, but to keep it from getting overwhelming I'm going to try to focus on one major portion of what was said.
Scott said: "I've been able to get back on the right track without attending a church. And while I understand that we as Christians need to be part of a church body, I don't think I've yet found a church that really makes me feel stronger in my walk. Yes, I enjoy the church I am going to again, but I can't say that I am always spiritually fed when I go."
The first sentence of that statement says two things to me. To put them plainly:
1. "I've been able to get back on the right track" = I can do it all by myself
2. "without attending a church" = God's design is unnecessary
The first statement is obviously pride. It is saying "Look at me, how great I am. I have overcome, I have done good, I don't need anyone's help." I know that wasn't what he intended to say, but that's what was conveyed nonetheless. Call it a freudian slip. Proverbs 11:20 says "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom", and 16:8 says "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." I'm not admonishing or chastising here so much as warning, because I love all of you. I myself struggle with pride not just day to day, but moment to moment. Again and again, the Scriptures point out those that God punished for pride... whatever they were prideful about, it is that which God took away. So of all the things in the world, we mustn't boast of the richness of our faith, we mustn't take pride in how close we walk with God... it's the first thing He will expose for rags, the first thing he will rip from our hands.
The second statement quite literally flies in the face of Scripture. It's fairly safe to assume that if God created it, then it's quite necessary. We may not be able to understand it's necessity (for instance, roaches), but everything He made was made for a reason. He designed each living creature with a purpose, and a general modus operandi. We humans have several purposes to fulfill, and one of them is being a member of His family.
Romans 12:4-5 says that we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. And so it is with Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we?
If an organ is somehow severed from its body, it will shrivel and die. It cannot exist on its own, and neither can we as individuals. We are not just called to believe, but to belong. We are created for community, formed for His family, and none of us can fulfill God's purposes by ourselves. Membership in the family of God is neither inconsequential nor something to be casually ignored. The church is God's agenda for the world. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." The person who says "I don't need the church" is either arrogant or ignorant. The church is so significant that Jesus died on the cross for it. Ephesians 5:25 says that "Christ loved the church and gave His life for it."
Rick had a very nice way of putting it:
The Bible calls the church "the bride of Christ" and "the body of Christ." I can't imagine saying to Jesus: "I love you, but I dislike your wife." Or "I accept you, but I reject your body." But we do this whenever we dismiss or demean or complain about the church. Instead God commands us to love the church as much as Jesus does. The Bible says, "Love your spiritual family." Sadly, many Christians use the church but don't love it.
Rick goes on to list 6 reasons why you need a church family, all interpreted from direct Scripture passages:
1. A church family identifies you as a genuine believer.
2. A church family moves you out of self-centered isolation.
3. A church family helps you develop spiritual muscle.
4. The Body of Christ needs you.
5. You will share in Christ's mission in the world.
6. A church family will help keep you from backsliding.
God's designed it this way. He set things up in such a way that we actually need the church, we need to be a part of it. Fellowship with other believers is not a bonus, people--it's a necessity.
So now I ask you this: have you really done as well as you think you have all by yourself? How much further down that right track would you already be if you had been plugged in to your local body of believers?
Ok, this is getting to be pretty long, so I'm just going to skip down to the last portion of the statement of Scott's that I quoted: "Yes, I enjoy the church I am going to again, but I can't say that I am always spiritually fed when I go."
I'm gonna try to keep my response to this short: You've missed the point. We don't go to church "to be fed", but rather "to feed." One reason you need to be connected to a church family is to serve other believers in practical ways. Your service is desperately needed in the body of Christ--just ask any local church!
I love the way Rick illustrated a particular point: What happens when one part of your body fails to function? You get sick. The rest of your body suffers. Imigine if your liver decided to start living for itself: "I'm so tired! I don't want to serve the body anymore! I just want a year off just to be fed! I've got to do what's best for me! Let some other part take over." What would happen? Your body would die.
Pretty telling, isn't it? Today, thousands of local churches are dying because of Christians who want to be fed, rather than feed... because of Christians who are unwilling to serve. They sit on the sidelines as spectators, and the Body suffers.
You are commanded to serve God. For Christians, service is not optional, something to be tacked onto our schedules if time permits. It is the heart of the Christian life. Jesus came "to serve" and "to give." These two verbs should define our entire lives here on earth.
The church is not there to serve you. The church is not a business in the service industry. It is the Body of Christ, God's family. It is not a president and board members and managers and hourly wage-ers. It is brothers and sisters in Christ. It isn't there to serve you--it IS you.
Maybe what's missing from these local churches that we go looking for to be all that we want them to be and fulfill all our needs... is us.
-Jack-
