Being vs. Doing Church


The church is a by-product of Jesus becoming king . . . not the reason for it. 

When we get caught up in church politics, church life, church decisions, church functions, church this, and church that, we miss the greater message of the gospel.  We forget that the church is a by-product of Jesus’ ministry . . . not the reason for it.  Jesus’ ministry is social, communal, and justice filled.  If we want to "be" the church . . . if we want to be the hands and feet of Christ, then we need to replace our understanding of church "doing" with church "being."  

But how do we do this?  I think to answer this question we must turn to gospels.   It shows that Jesus came for a social revolution.   

Jesus’ states, “What you do unto the least of these, you do unto me” (Matt 25).  What you do for the local community, the services you offer for the greater and common good, the love you give to the unloved, the attention you give to those who never get it, the forgiveness you offer to the bitter, the shelter you provide for the homeless, the food you cook for the hungry, the time you give to the imprisoned, the water you offer to the thirsty – that’s how I want you to be.

It’s not about church programs or membership.  It’s about service.  It’s about social reform.  Jesus is king because he changed our lives for the better.  We must take this challenge and offer it to all that we meet. 

If the church is a by-product of Jesus’ ministry then we must be people who are trained to bring hope to the hopeless, life to the lifeless, fulfillment to the empty, vindication for the conflicted, and strength the wearied.  We are to offer food, drink, shelter, care, fortitude, love, peace, and forgiveness to all people everywhere.  These are pillars of the Christian faith . . . not business meetings. 

Faith, hope, and love are what we have to give to the world . . . not budget reports. 

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are how we deliver God’s social reform to people . . . not by monthly newsletters. 

Anything less than we might as well be a country club or just a group rearranging furniture on the titanic.

Because the reality is . . . people are hurting.  People are depressed, overworked, underpaid, and under-appreciated.  They believe in God but don’t have time to encounter the holy.  If we are going to be the hands and feet of Christ then this is where we must meet them.  Out there.  In the world.  On the streets.  And we must look them in the eye and say, “I do this out of love because my father did it for me.”    

Because Jesus isn’t concerned with starting a church, but rather a revolution of spirit and goodwill.  

Comments

Anonymous said…
People are misled.
July 8, 2012 at 9:55 PM
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