It has been far too long since my last entry. My apologies to those few who wait with baited breath to read this blog (Yeah, right.)
Yes, you heard me right: I am not going to church any more.
After finishing the gospel of Mark, I decided that it would be best for my own personal study and for the sanctification of the people of ABC to know "the rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say.
I am not sure about you, but I cannot stand it when you watch a movie and it ends with unresolved conflict or storyline, only to have to wait for a sequel which almost NEVER is a good as the original. Such is not the case in this situation. To leave the disciples gazing into heaven as Jesus ascends to the Father would be obscenely. I wanted to see what happened next. What happened next is called the book of Acts.
The study of the book of Acts has truly been one of the most satisfying of my walk with Jesus. It has also been one of a sobering reality check on how far the church of God has deviated from its original nature and purpose. The early church was defined by the apostle's doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers; and now, the church is more about social agendas, personal ambition, self-reliance, and seperation from anyone who isn't JUST like "us." The church used to be of "one accord" and strive to meet the needs of all who were found within the household of faith; now, we are more interested in finding fault with one another and making excuses we CAN'T fellowship with this or that church.
It used to be that hypocrisy was condemned and treated as an infection to God's people as in the case of Ananias and Saphira; now, we don't want to step on anyone's toes and discipline sin amongst us in fear of losing numbers or being labeled intolerant.
Heaven forbid that we be told that becoming a member of a local church is a necessity and not a nicety; or that it's not enough to just fill a seat or pew, but that God ACTUALLY has something for you to do. All of us have made similar statements to these:
"I go to... Church."
" My church is located at...."
" When is the last time you went to church?"
Probably the one thing that has resonated with me the most so far in my study of Acts is that I need to change my perspective on "church". Someone recently asked me, "Ryan, what church do you go to?" My simple reply was, "Well, I actually don't go to church." My unorthodox answer received the desired response I was looking for. They quickly replied, "But don't you pastor a church?" "Yes", I said, "but I don't go to church; I am the church. The church isn't a building; it's people."
Some of you might be thinking that I am overstating my point or that I am being nit-picky; just hear me out. Have you ever thought about when church became something we did and somewhere we go instead of something we are? It's almost as if our identity is defined by a building and not our relationship with Jesus Christ. Are we only the church within the walls of the church's building? Instead of the sign reading First Baptist Church or First Presbyterian Church, shouldn't the sign read Home of First Baptist Church or Meeting Place of First Presbyterian Church?
I remind myself and the church with whom I have the privilege of shepherding, "It doesn't matter where or when- you ARE the body of Christ in all places, at all times." We have the glorious privilege to come together as the church on Sunday to do that which we have been (or should be) doing personally the rest of the week. We have lost our identity; we have lost sight of our purpose.
I challenge you to reevaluate how you look at the church. Instead of it being an exercise in religion, let it be an exercise of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Church isn't something we do; it is something we are.
Stop going to church; be the church every single day to the glory of God.
RV
