Another aspect of the writing of Andrew Sullivan was his point that we should not look to the church for answers, but to Jesus. I concur completely with the latter – Jesus should be followed and looked to for the answers. However, to demonize the church and suggest that it is not valuable at all is missing the point. Is the church at times corrupt? Yes. Does the church often miss the point? Yes. Is it an outdated institution that must be avoided to see God clearly? Not at all.

The problem is identity. The church seems to have strayed from what it was called to do. I would have you read yesterday’s post, but let me continue. The early church (within a year or so of Jesus’ death and resurrection) did not have the name “church.” In fact, “church” is just an English word denoting the Greek word “ekklesia,” which means “gathering” or “fellowship.” It represented the gathering of people – not a building you went to. They would learn together, eat/live together and desired to follow God together (Acts 2:42-47). You became a part of the fellowship by choosing to believe in Jesus and live His way – which is why the early church was called “The Way” (Acts 9:2). I love that better than “church” because the word has lost its meaning and purpose. Sure, it is still a gathering, but today’s people consider “church” to be a building – like ours here in Milwaukee. It is intended to be more than that – a community that helps one another grow into faithful followers of Jesus – does your church do this?

Which leads me to a point I alluded to yesterday. How does a church “do” this at all? How does one help someone become a more faithful follower of Christ? A sermon is great (and Biblical – Matthew 5-7 is a sermon, Acts is full of them 2, 4, 7, etc) for getting a lot of people information in a rapid and concise way. Yet, I perhaps have 5 sermons that have radically altered my walk with God – and they needed a response. Now, church is expected to be a sermon. Singing, also, is a great way to convey information and allow people a way to learn about God through words they will think/hum/sing throughout the week. Do you view singing this way? Unfortunately, singing and the sermon in a building have become what many conclude is “church.” When the singing and sermon do not meet your needs – it is time to move on. I agree with those saying that church does not help one to follow Jesus – because what once had purpose and design now has become stuck in a rut of that purpose and design. What once was used as a vehicle to help many start a walk and become a part of the real fellowship now has become the destination. This is wrong, and needs to stop.

Yet, Jesus had followers and a congregation. There was fellowship and a desire to learn and follow Him. After He taught, He sent people out – preparation called for practice. Practice led them to become practitioners and dare I say “professionals?” Now, the professionals are counted on and followed in droves – which is once again not the original intention. We were always meant to follow Jesus – to look to Him while learning from someone further along The Way. We were/are meant to take that knowledge and lead others to Him, by studying His words and spending time in a relationship with Him.

Are you doing this consistently? Perhaps it is time to start – and instead of leaving your fellowship and looking for a better preacher/musician/etc perhaps you should help others discover real community and fellowship by following Jesus together. Start reading John with some people, talking about it and searching for answers together. Pray with one another and grow together. Move away from the wrong parts of church that have lost The Way and follow Jesus – The Way He originally intended!