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Just been thinking again about what the church really is. This past week I was reminded (while I was in a mostly empty church building) that it is not about any of the programming we do (sorry to you worship planners out there…) it is so much about being the church. The group of people who are extra-noticeable because of their changed lives. How they love each other and do life together with a bond that’s stronger than family. A commitment to engendering in each other that fullness of life that Jesus said he came to give us.
We are a part of so many churches, we see so many great things churches are doing to try and connect people with The One who loves them… and even to connect them with each other and to reach out to eveyrone around us. But so often, our energy is poured into organizing such things to that it is an efficient process. And there I think we miss the point.
The church does not have a product (such as a trained and equipped disciple) the church is a living organism. The body of Christ in fact. Jesus is the head. He gives us directions, we listen and follow, and do our part. (That does not mean, necessarily, that we should listen for where he wants us to serve, like, the nursery, or teaching 3rd grade sunday school, or on the board, or whatever…)
It means, we get to love each other, and those around us, like he did. As though we were his hands and feet. Take care of our body (feed it, clean it, groom it, rest it, etc…) and then use it to go love others.
It might be as simple as just "being" the church instead of "doing" church… which is what I think we are oh so good at these days.
I am in a small group that is good at being the church. We do life together. We are always there to help each other. No one is left out. We are accountable to each other. We share life’s joys and hardships. Good stuff.
That’s the church.
Not the building. Not the programs. Not the staff. Not the budget. Not the outreach events. Not the mission trips. Not the worship services. Not the small group programs. Not the children’s minstries. Not the big easter productions. Not the potluck dinners. (Actually… that might come close…) 🙂
It is the sharing of life together by believers. Every bit of it. Not once a week, or even twice. But genuine caring, relationship oriented, living, breathing, thriving life-together.
That will change the world.