Sunday, November 23, 2014

Why I still love the local church...


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. 

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