Wednesday, May 19, 2010

There are many ideas out there about what the church is and what it should do. However, thoughts on church for some can be as exciting as eating gravel. At one time in my life, I certainly tasted concrete as well when the word “church” came up. I would envision a giant Bible whacking me in the head, or remember a smiley hand-shaking guy saying to my mother, “We sure did miss you last week!” – translation: “You reek before the nostrils of God!”

But today the Church, in its purest sense, has become something for my family that is full of life and adventure.

Throughout history, the church has been viewed as a country club for socialites, a hospital only for sick and weak souls, a trophy shop for the “righteous,” a fortress for those “hiding out from the evils of the world,” a place where one man tells everyone else what to do, or a place that is just plain inefficient and invaluable for life.

It has also been viewed as a hell-fire and brimstone place where guilt tactics are implemented, people are continually discouraged because of not “hitting the mark” or giving enough money, and all are scared into believing “or else.” Many others have made statements like, “I would never ‘darken’ the doors of a ‘church.’”  Last week I heard someone say, “If I went to church, then I would catch on fire!” I once felt that way too.

However, there are more positive perceptions of church as well. Some see it as a place of quiet rest amidst a week of chaos. Others view it as a place to go with loved family members or a place to genuinely connect with God. Some see it as a place to confess and be “cleansed.” Many view it as a place to be encouraged by like-minded life travelers.

Regardless of our background or thinking, there is still a modern-day dilemma: What is the church? Where, how, and with whom did it originate? What was the thinking behind what nowadays can feel twisted and nonsensical?

For the next several weeks, I and my pastor friend Jonathan Mays would like to open a conversation about the ideas surrounding the CHURCH.

I believe that, if we can capture the original idea behind CHURCH, then our imaginations and hopes will soar. Its original blueprint was pure and perfect. Its purpose was piercing. Its community was rehabilitation for the soul. There was adventure for everyone and a spiritual, vibrant electricity that ran through a network of people who inspired and lit up the world!

This question is crucial to finding gold: WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

First of all, it is not a place. It is a people. People don’t “go” to church. They either “are” The Church or they “are not” The Church. You say, “Huh?” Let me explain:

The idea of church originated with Jesus. In Matthew chapter 16, we read the account of a very interesting conversation between Jesus and his twelve closest followers. By this time in history people had seen and heard of all Jesus’ miraculous healings. So he was the buzz of the town—actually a few towns. The twelve discussed how some thought Jesus was one of the prophets like Elijah or Jeremiah who came back from the dead. Others thought he was just a cool dude with supernatural powers, while others denied the miracles but thought he was a great moral teacher. Still some thought he was an imposter claiming to be God, but not. Does this sound a little like our world today?

Jesus sets up time with his twelve friends for an amazing teachable moment. After discussing the perceptions of the surrounding culture, Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter, my favorite emboldened, wild-guy speaks up: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

He hit it out of the park! This was a rockin’ statement! So Jesus counters with, “Blessed are you Simon, Son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock [rockin’ true statement you just made] I will build my church.” There’s our word: CHURCH.

This word church is actually translated from the Greek word ekklesia. From this word we get the English word “ecclesiology,” which means theological perceptions, or “God-thoughts about the Church.” Here’s the important point. Ekklesia simply translates as “assembly.” This, of course, is speaking of an “assembly” of people.

However, this is not just any assembly of people. For example, if we were at a Boyne City sporting event in a gym with a crowd of people, that would certainly be an “assembly,” but it would not be the “assembly” Jesus is talking about. He’s talking about people who have investigated claims about Jesus and have begun to believe in certain things together.

Do you remember the statement, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”?  That is the foundation or the “rock” of his assembly, or his church. What’s interesting is that every time this word for “church” is used throughout the New Testament of the Bible, it describes a particular group of people not a building.

This gets very exciting because Jesus, the leader of the church, dies, comes back to life, goes to heaven, and all who put their faith in Him and his resurrection for their personal rescue become part of this growing assembly or network of followers! What’s even more fantastic is that this growing, living, moving, breathing organism has the purpose of carrying out his great work on the earth.

All who become a part of this growing assembly are to truly love others like he did, help others like he would, encourage those who need encouragement, care for the weak, hurting, and starved together.  They are to invite others into this journey, adventure, this network of hope, joy, purpose, well-being, and full living. It’s supposed to be a beautiful thing when the church is actually being The Church.

The next time you think:  “I might ‘go’ to church today,” just remember that kind of statement reveals a cultural thing and not an original Jesus thing. Either we “are” the Church, by choosing to follow him and carry out his purposes on the earth, or we “are not” the Church, by choosing not to believe in him or follow in his footsteps.

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