There have been a lot of articles written over the past
couple of years talking about the decline of the church and what’s wrong with
the church and why the younger generation is falling away from the church and
why the “organized church” is no longer relevant to today’s society. And, those articles have made some valid
points – the church isn’t perfect. Would you like to know why? I can tell you why. Because
the church is made up of people – people just like you and me – imperfect
people who make imperfect decisions and act in imperfect ways. And, as long as the church is made up of
people, it will continue to be imperfect. However, I do NOT believe that the church is irrelevant. In fact, I believe that we need the church
more today than we have ever needed it.
So, here are a few reasons why I believe that we NEED the church – in
spite of its imperfections – in spite of its failures.
We were created for community.
After God had created Adam, He looked at him and said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a suitable helper for him.”
(Genesis 2:18) He could have left Adam
alone in the garden to enjoy creation, but he knew that Adam needed a
companion. In Ecclesiastes 4:12, it says
“Though one may be overpowered, two can
defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” There is strength and power and safety in
community. This world can be a tough
place. We need community to make it
through.
Have you ever heard the phrase “circle the wagons?” It comes from the 1800s when the settlers
were crossing the plains. They didn’t
take off across the country on their own.
They travelled in groups – in wagon trains. And, when they felt threatened or when they
stopped for the night, they would bring the wagons around to form a circle
which offered protection from outside forces.
You didn’t want to be the one lone wagon out there on the prairie by
yourself. You needed that community –
you needed to be able to circle the wagons in order to survive the
journey. In the same way, we need the
church to be able to survive our journey through this world. The journey is a lot harder – maybe even
impossible – if you try to go it alone.
We need others to show us the way. Just like those settlers in the 1800s didn’t
inherently know how to get from North Carolina to California on their own, we
aren’t born knowing how to get from here to eternity on our own. We need others to help point us in the right
direction. When I worked for a large
software company, our consulting organization had a basic process that they
used to train new consultants – It went something like “See one, help one, do
one.” The idea was that a new consultant
would tag along with a more experienced consultant and watch as he completed a
project. Then, the two would partner and
work together on the next project. And,
then, finally, the new consultant would do a project on his own with the
knowledge that he could call on the experienced consultant to answer questions
if needed.
Jesus also set an example for us. During his short ministry here on earth, he
called 12 men to walk with him and help him and learn from him. And, then, when he sent them out, he didn’t
send them out on their own. He sent them
out two-by-two. There weren’t any lone
rangers on Jesus’ watch. (Mark 6:7)
So, what should the church look like? What are the characteristics of a vibrant
community that is actively encouraging and protecting and teaching and guiding?
In Acts 2, we find that the church devoted themselves to
prayer and to the apostles teaching.
They fellowshipped together and ate together. They shared with others in their community so
that no one was in need. In Romans 12,
we’re told that the community of believers should rejoice with those who
rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.
They should live in harmony with one another. They should not be proud but should be
willing to associate with those that are on the fringes of society. In James 1, it says that true religion is to
look after the widow and the orphan and to take care of those in need. And, in Titus 2, it says that the older should
teach the younger so that they will know how to live a good life in this world.
And, above all, an authentic community should strive to live out the great
commandment and the great commission:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and,
'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" -- Luke 10:27
”Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to
the very end of the age.” -- Matthew 28:19-20
I know it’s easier said than done, but if we get those two
right, the rest should really fall into place.
So, I’m not ready to give up on the organized church just
yet. I need community – I need mentors –
I need people to come alongside me and walk through this world with me. I don’t want to be a lone ranger. And, I am thankful to be a part of a vibrant,
authentic church community that isn’t perfect but that is striving to love God
and love others in the best way that we know how.
