When the church isn't acting like a church

We all have some idea of what a church is and have our own assumptions on how it operates. You say 'Catholic' and people automatically equate that to a man in robes (like the Pope). You say 'Pentecostal' and people envision the the mega churches full of prosperity preaching. But lets' draw away from the big picture and focus on what actually makes up the church. It's the people.

It's your first day at church, maybe you've been invited or were on the hunt. You attend, someone greets you, you hear the message and hang around after service or shoot off. Maybe you manage to exchange a few words with someone, maybe not. For whatever reason you come back and before you know it you're apart of a church. You start to form friendships, later you find yourself wanting to get involved, perhaps you join a ministry and so on. All this is great! But then what happens when you have a disagreement with one of those friends, when your efforts in ministry go un-notice or you begin to become overwhelmed with how busy your life has become with 'church.'

We get so distracted on the things we're doing in the church, the relationships we've made, the latest Sunday outfits that we've lost sight of the church's true meaning. Is God pleased?

You're in church but not growing in Christ. You hear sermons weekly without fail and yet there is no change in your conduct, language, way of thinking or your heart. Your pastor delivers powerful messages that stem from the word of God, but these teachings are not applied to your life.

Though we are in church and believe we're doing all the right things, we are still very fleshy and not operating in the spirit. That is why we're able to say 'amen' whilst the pastor is preaching, but fail to speak life to our brothers and sisters. That is why we can be the first in last out but fail to recognise our brother/sister is in need. That is why we put so much emphasis on pleasing the pastor that we forget to please the father. We might look like the role model Christian, but really we are far from God.

So what is the purpose of the Church? How do we fulfil this?

Ephesians 2:19–22

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Romans 12:4–5

4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

1 Timothy 3:14–15

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Romans 12:1-2

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

As we've read, the church is a community of believers worshipping Christ. The church is to be preserved for Christs return. It belongs to him and we are his stewards. As we mind his church, remember the church is Holy and the place of truth. Let us focus on the meaning; to serve God, to encourage one another, to sacrifice/get involved. All this contributes to the growth of the church. Is that not what we want to see? More lives being saved, more souls added to the kingdom!

Whilst in church we should see change within ourselves. Lastly, the way we act, serve, treat one another, is it aligned with holiness and truth? The church is the body of believers that follow Christ. Hence whether the building comes or goes, the church will always remain!

Amen.