What is the purpose of the church?
How should the church live out the mission of God?
These are probably some of the most important thoughts that all Christians should work hard to answer. I plan on exploring it more in the next couple blog posts. However, I find that if you are to be a thoughtful, intentional Christian, then once you have what you consider to be a good answer, go back and evaluate:
Are you going to church for the purpose it was intended?
Are you living out the mission of God?
These shouldn't be simple answers. Your honest response to these questions should keep us up at night wondering if you really do understand what we're here for.
There are some cultural ways of thinking that church has unwittingly adopted that are deeply unhealthy and not at all what Jesus intended. We need to discern the difference between the values of our culture and those of the Kingdom of God. I have been praying over and working on the value statements that I hope to instill in whatever church the Lord calls me to next. I know that this won't be easy as we humans struggle with something called syncretism. The dictionary definition of that lovely $10 word is: the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought. We do this automatically and have throughout history.
One of the most predominant syncretistic views we have incorporated into the church is what I call "church as a fast food restaurant". Sounds weird, I know, but bear with me it is a good metaphor for how we look at church as more of a service industry than what I will describe later.
Consider your fast food habits. Where do you go the most?
In my next post I will talk about what I believe the mission of the church should be. What God intended. Until then, let me encourage you with the words of Hebrews 10:19-25
"19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Love you Family.
- JIm
How should the church live out the mission of God?
These are probably some of the most important thoughts that all Christians should work hard to answer. I plan on exploring it more in the next couple blog posts. However, I find that if you are to be a thoughtful, intentional Christian, then once you have what you consider to be a good answer, go back and evaluate:
Are you going to church for the purpose it was intended?
Are you living out the mission of God?
These shouldn't be simple answers. Your honest response to these questions should keep us up at night wondering if you really do understand what we're here for.
There are some cultural ways of thinking that church has unwittingly adopted that are deeply unhealthy and not at all what Jesus intended. We need to discern the difference between the values of our culture and those of the Kingdom of God. I have been praying over and working on the value statements that I hope to instill in whatever church the Lord calls me to next. I know that this won't be easy as we humans struggle with something called syncretism. The dictionary definition of that lovely $10 word is: the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought. We do this automatically and have throughout history.
One of the most predominant syncretistic views we have incorporated into the church is what I call "church as a fast food restaurant". Sounds weird, I know, but bear with me it is a good metaphor for how we look at church as more of a service industry than what I will describe later.
Consider your fast food habits. Where do you go the most?
- You go wherever your appetite leads you whenever your hunger becomes undeniable. All the married or dating people know that the conversation often goes a little like this: "You hungry?" "Yup." "What do you want to eat?" "I don't know, whatever you want." "How about ______?" "No we had _______ last time. Anywhere else but ________." "Okay how about Mc_________? _________King? ________Hut?" "I don't know, you pick." "....." We are a picky lot with food and sometimes a bit more with church. Everyone has their tastes in music, preaching, and sometimes we would rather just stay home. If we chose to avoid making a choice where to go or when to go, one of two things happen - just like with food. 1. Our hunger becomes intolerable and we must feed on something even if it's spiritual junk food. 2. We stay away so long that, like happens with a starving person, our stomach shrinks and our appetite diminishes. Soon we can't handle too much or even solid food. The irony of both problems is that in the Christian world, you aren't supposed to eat only when you're feeling hunger. One big meal a week is not enough to sustain you and neither is just going to church on Sunday. Still this is part of the issue with looking at church as a consumer (get it... food/church consumer... I laughed)
- You go for whatever is convenient. sometimes not even caring if the place is reputable or serving you healthy fare - or theology. I mean do you seriously examine the Statement of Faith carefully to determine if a church is a fit for you? Do you look at their distinctives, their views on the non-essentials? Do you know how they view their mission? I know it's sometimes as fun as checking the health labels on your food, but what directs you more, convenience or conviction? Don't you want to know what you're feeding your family? My mother took us out of a particular church when we were kids because they preached from the newspaper more than the Bible. Would you do that?
- You may not have much brand loyalty. You may bounce between Mc_______ or _______King on a weekly or daily basis. Truth be told, loyalty is a rare commodity these days. You may know many people like i do who practice church-hopping. This is different from church-shopping because of the goal. They go to more than one church and yet no one church regularly. They make it sound ecumenical, but it deprives any one church of your valuable contribution - and I'm not talking about money, but your time, service, gifts, and true fellowship.
- You go where it's easy and cheap, where it is informal, meets your expectations and doesn't cost you much. If they don't do it "your way", and you're not "loving it" you go elsewhere until you find the familiar flavor you like best. What did we learn from the OT sacrificial system? Anything? Worship costs you something. It involves sacrifice and effort. Why? Because it's not about you!
In my next post I will talk about what I believe the mission of the church should be. What God intended. Until then, let me encourage you with the words of Hebrews 10:19-25
"19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Love you Family.
- JIm