You ... you complete me.
"We don't go to church; we are the church."
You've heard this before, as have I, many times. I understand the point being attempted, but I have seen such a sentiment espoused by those with a very low view of the church (i.e., the local church).
It's worth noting that the Greek word for "church" (ekklesia) means assembly.Most know the New Testament was written in Greek, but many don't know that the "Old Testament" used in the days of Jesus was the Septuagint, or LXX, a Greek translation of the Hebrew.
In the Septuagint, which the New Testament quotes, every time you see "assembly" in English in the Old Testament the word was ekklesia in the Greek Septuagint.
Sure, the church is the ekklesia, the "called out ones," but they are called out to be called together. The church is community, not a bunch of individuals armed with their Bibles needing nothing or nobody else.
“If the church is central to God’s purpose as seen in both history and the gospel, it must surely also be central to our lives. How can we take lightly what God takes so seriously? How dare we push to the circumference what God has placed at the center?”Sadly, I know far too many who consider themselves spiritually mature, yet they have little to no commitment to the gathering of God's people for worship, edification, and encouragement.
- John Stott
It's ironic because they not only are failing in a very fundamental aspect of what it means to be a Christian, but they are also short-circuiting their own spiritual growth by not churching, which would give them a place to serve, worship, learn, encourage, and be encouraged.
In short, they are not being the church and they are thwarting their own sanctification and, therefore, the glory God would get from them if their lives better reflected His character.
Hillary was wrong. It doesn't take a village. It takes a church.
Be the church, of course, but you can't be the church without being with the church.
posted by GUNNY @ 05:49
3 comments
3 Comments:
Amen... preach it brother. The body of local believers is the context where personal growth happens as well as place for personal gifts are able to be used for the good of all.
Gunny,
I think it is an over correction of the abuse of the "local" church. I have numerous examples but you and I both know them. Meeting with believers is important, I think the problem people are responding to is the problem of having to go to a building, hear people sing, hear a person teach a good sermon, all while particpating very scarcely. I think some people feel that they have something to contribute when the saints gather but all of the opportunities are taken from them, because well.. it is only for the trained professionals to engage in that type of edification/exhortation. So people have decided to leave the building and become more active in the edification/exhortation commands of scripture.
The problem is when people leave frustrated coupled with the autonomous menatality of most American Christians it has produced the mantra "I am the church" I actually got into a nice discussion about this about a week ago. I told the person that such a view is an oxymoron, I can't equal church, because church is ALWAYS plural, not only that, you can't even obey 1% of the scriptures (especially the new covenant command of love) without people. Jesus prayer in John 17 is foundational to our understanding of the Church but also our soteriology also effect that (Christ died for a people, not a person).
Thoughts?
Lionel wrote: "Meeting with believers is important, I think the problem people are responding to is the problem of having to go to a building, hear people sing, hear a person teach a good sermon, all while particpating very scarcely."
Well, actually, I think you might be projecting, brother. In my experience it's more along the lines of (1) "no local church body is good enough for me" and/or (2)"there's no benefit to me going because of how spiritual I already am."
(1) It's true most churches are sloogey. It's true even the best of churches may still have some slooginess. However, that doesn't mean a person can't find the best one in which to grow and to which to commit.
(2) It's true that some people will be more knowledgeable than most of the others in the congregation. It's true that often the main teaching service won't have anything "new" for those people to learn each week. However, those more mature people shouldn't be mature in their approach to church ala the "What's in it for me?", but should be in service to the body and the Lord by helping others to mature ... which is hard to do if not there.
Lionel wrote: "So people have decided to leave the building and become more active in the edification/exhortation commands of scripture."
To such people I would suggest they have created a false dichotomy. Even if a member was specifically told, "All you may do in this building is sit down and shut while, whilst listening to Rev. Dr. Smarter Than Thou," I would say, "Then sit and learn, practice what you can in the building and what you can't outside it."
Hopefully, no local church would be that sloogey, but you never know. ;-)
Lionel wrote: "I can't equal church, because church is ALWAYS plural"
Well said, brother, and good food for thought as always. Part of me thinks there may be a reciprocal dynamic. Leaders see many people wanting to do nothing, but show up, so they tailor things so folks can just show up. Then folks who don't know any better come and after a while assume they are merely supposed to come and show up, and so on and so on.
Post a Comment
<< Home