Church…what is it? I seem to be confused as to what “church” really is. I THOUGHT I knew for several years, but now I am SURE I know. If you posed the question at the beginning of this paragraph to a vast majority of “Christians” in the U.S. I dare say a good number of them would not know. I say that because as a former pastor for over thirty years I really didn’t want folks to know what the church was or it would have put me out of “a job” before I resigned. I am not saying that most pastors do things to intentionally mislead their congregants, they are simply following the herd mentality and doing what the one in front of them is doing.
There is presently over one million people a year walking away from “church” as we have know it. There seems to be an exodus of people who are, in many cases seeing what the church really is or as with some…just fed up with what they have been sold and now see it’s broken or does not work as the professional pitch men have professed. The are deciding to go be the church instead of going to church! I found three such groups this past week. Let me tell you a bit about where I found em”
Friday I gathered with thirty to forty members of His Body for an outdoor time of communion. Met new friends and saw some old friends I hadn’t seen in quite some time. It was awesome! We sat around a big campfire as night fell with hot dogs, Cole slaw, potato salad, chips, home made cookies, candies, made samores and drank coffee and soft drinks. You might say that sounds like a picnic not communion, believe me it was both. Folks from many walks of life…farmers, contractors, military personal, retirees, professional musicians and at least two ex-Pharisees that I’m sure of.
Yesterday, Sunday, I gathered with two very different groups. I didn’t go to church, I (a part of the church) assembled with other parts of the body of Christ in one of our local parks under a shelter. As the various parts begin to connect the eleven people present seemed to have one common goal, to build the Kingdom of God. There were no talent shows, professional speakers, sound system, fancy building but as we shared scripture, sipped coffee, and prayed a prodigal came home. Without coaxing, coaching or human interference of any kind. I stood in the background in silence and marveled at the simplicity of the “church”. Parts assembled, mutual love, mutual submission, mutual authority and Christ at the head…WOW He works, He is simply looking for parts to be joined so He will have a body to work through. Body parts that functions without competition but rather complete each other. When there is completion not competition then the Holy Spirit will do His work. He draws, Jesus is offered as the solution for sin and The Father welcomes home His wayward son.
Most of us rode off on our motorcycles and I was headed to the second gathering which was about forty miles from where I live. It was a beautiful ride and I was the last to arrive. There were eleven members of His body gathered there also. We sat around the kitchen table and feasted on what each other had to share. I came away full and satisfied. I believe I can honestly report that we all heard what we needed in this gathering.
Between the three gatherings the Kingdom was built up and the Body of Christ was edified. What a weekend, Can’t wait till we meet again…oh yeah some of us have decided to get together on Thursday, parts being drawn together in their proper places by their creator works much better than the man planned, thought out, bulletin following meetings that have been limited to our buildings and we’ve called church.
Church? What is it? You’ll have to hear it from God before you’ll believe me. But here’s an idea how about joining me just anytime and let’s be church!!!
Babu Lonnie
