The Striking of a Chord

Just recently one of my colleagues sent a Biblical Recorder e-article from Tom Ehrich entitled, "Saying no to Sundays". The response from other colleagues to this e-article was much more than the typical response. As a result, I decided to respond. I thought it would be good to share my response here. So here it goes!

Wow, I found the response to Ehrich post to be quite amazing – and it speaks to an important truth about our faith. We get these types of posts passed around quite often – but typically nowhere near the responses to them. I think this speaks to a great issue of our faith – even though many do not like to admit it – the critical importance of the church to our faith. Otherwise, I do not think we would be seeing such responses – lengthy and passionate. So get ready, it is my time to chime in!
It all goes back to the issue of what Christ said that he came to build and give His life for – THE CHURCH! The church is His bride! I know a lot of people like to talk about church universal – more than the local expression. BUT! When you look at the emphasis upon “church” in the New Testament, the overwhelming majority of emphasis is upon the local expression of church. Of the 114 times “ekklesia” is found in the NT, 109 of those occurrences make reference to church universal or church local. At least 90 of those occurrences are making reference to/giving emphasis to church local. Church universal is important yes – but the way that church universal is primarily expressed in the world in which we live is church local. It is through church local – that we who are part of the body of Christ – can fulfill and live out what we have been called to do. Which leads to my next point.
The main reason I have not responded so far is that I do not like to enter into conversations without the intent of being “involved” in the issue of the conversation. That is the MAIN problem that I have with posts such as the ones being discussed – or with the conversations of the contemporary church. Many people like to talk about the issue – and leave it there! A really good definition of gossip that I heard once was “talking about something/someone that you have no ability to change or no intent to change.” Do we who are part of the bride of Christ have the ability to change her? Yes, because we are her! Do we have the intent to change her? Honestly, most of the time, the answer to that question is NO! Instead we like to talk about her problems – because it is a great topic of conversation. But do we really have the intent of doing anything about what we are talking about. No! Instead, we just talk about and give reasons of why we don’t want to have part of her any more. That is what I see a lot of today not with just this younger generation – but with all generations. There is one BIG issue at hand here – the church has NEVER been without her problems. Just read the New Testament – that is what we see throughout it – all of the “real life problems and crap” that has always been part of the church. BUT we don’t see any emphasis upon giving up on her – or just merely talking about the problems. Instead, the emphasis of the NT – and I believe should be the emphasis of our generation – is for us to be actively committed to and in love with the bride of Christ!
I think this is where the younger generation – and all generations – is frustrated with the church of today. Many who are part of the bride of Christ portray that what it means to be an active part of the church is to attend worship service on Sunday morning (or whenever) – and do that on a regular basis. Maybe throw in a small group Bible study. Wow – now I am active part of the church. Wrong! To be an active part of the church means that we give ALL of who we are to the mission that Christ has given to His bride. By giving all of ourselves, that means it has a major impact on what I give my time and energy and passion to. The purpose of the church IS NOT just to gather once a week – and I think that is the idea that has been passed along by MANY well intentioned members of the body. And I think that is what has turned off so many who want to be part of the church. They are searching for something bigger than that – they are searching for wanting to be part of what Christ meant for His church.
So what am I trying to say in all of this. Christ loves His church! If we love Christ, we should love His church! To love the church does not mean I show my love merely by my attendance of Sunday worship – that is part of it but not all of it. Further, We CAN’T abandon her. That is not an option for any member of the covenant community of Christ. We MUST do our own personal parts in bringing transformation to the church. The only way for needed change to occur is for believers with a passion for Christ to aim that passion toward the bride of Christ and her mission – and give our WHOLE selves to her and her mission! If enough believers did that, the church as we know it would be transformed. I think the key for this entire issue is for the church to BE the church. And if we are part of the church, that means the needed change can and should begin with those who realize it. It is time for such members of the body to show by EXAMPLE that being the church is not merely a Sunday activity thing – it is that and a whole lot more. Being a part of the church is what our LIFE should be about. Chip Henderson, who spoke at our Bryan Center conference in the fall, pastors Pinelake Church in Brandon, MS. Their church motto is “Pinelake – it’s not just church, it’s life!” That is what people are looking for in the body of Christ – something worth giving their lives to and for!
Does the church local – the bride of Christ – need change today? Yes, just like it has needed change since her birth! That change CAN and WILL occur if ALL generations of Christ followers will actually BE the church and not merely ATTEND church. If any person is not willing to BE the church – which includes giving all of who we are to the expression of her today and forever, church local - then my suggestion would be “Don’t enter into gossip (gossip = talk with no intention to do anything personally to bring about change) about the bride of Christ”. It will only cause Christ to be “upset” – and will cause others to want to join in the gossip instead of the change solution. If the younger generation would see enough of other generations BE-ing the church instead of just merely ATTEND-ing the church, then I think they would be excited about ATTEND-ing the church whenever it does gather together – even on Sunday!