Begin or End each week with a Meaningful Inspiration.

"DOING CHURCH" PART II

by Tim Knappenberger


"DOING CHURCH" PART I

  It's at this point in the meditation where I'd normally whip out an in-depth spiritual principle or insight that ties all of this neatly together. My problem is, I ain't got one. What I do have, however, is the awareness that many Christians are as troubled about what's going on in their congregations as am I. A recent article from the Atlantic Monthly discussed how the growth in America's "super churches" is being fueled by people like myself who are seeking non-dogmatic, non-denominational, praise-centered, small-group focused, multi-racial and multi-cultural church experiences. These "super churches" with attendance in the thousands emphasize the power of corporate worship while simultaneously promoting the intimacy and connectedness of small groups. They are drawing the "churched" and "un-churched" alike. Their size seems to be one indication that they are filling a need felt by many.

I also believe God is not displeased with my struggling. The real concern begins when the struggling ceases. Though my sense of fulfillment in His earthly Body hasn't been weaker, my ties to His spiritual Body haven't been stronger. Times of daily devotion, prayer, Bible study and reading mean far more to me now than at any other time in my spiritual walk. Times of prayer, sharing and spiritual discussion with fellow believers has never been sweeter. I have even used this thing called the Internet to spiritually connect to Believers halfway around the world. Church is taking many different expressions. After all, Jesus told the Samaritan women that the day was coming when Jews wouldn't have to go to the Temple to worship nor Samaritan to their mountain. They (and we) would all worship in Spirit and in Truth. Church "happens" sometimes within the walls of a house of worship, sometimes in a fitness center locker room, sometimes in an e-mail note or chat session.

A special friend of mine who's a former missionary and current Christian college professor has been through years of struggles with his prodigal teenage daughter. Drugs, alcohol, lying, stealing, and high-risk sex have all been tried and have all taken their toll on the family. He relayed to me that despite his long affiliation with the Church, he found his most intense spiritual experience through Al Anon, a support group for family members of alcoholics and drug abusers. There, he could be vulnerable, honest, and angry, all in a "I-don't-have-nice-neat-Christian-answers-to-the-hell-I'm-going-through" way. Despite the fact many churches around the country host Al Anon meetings, Al Anon is not the Church. It is a very good non-profit, non-religiously affiliated, support group. Ironically, however, Al Anon was more "being the Church" for my friend than was my friend's church. When believers find more healing, power, and acceptance in a secular, mental health movement than in Christ's Body, something is seriously wrong!

So what's to be learned in this? First and foremost, as believers, we need to acknowledge our need for the Body of Christ. As fascinating as the Net and e-mail might be, it doesn't allow for koinania fellowship, accountability, support, and corporate worship. We were not created to be islands. But just as much as we need the Body, we need the Body to truly BE the Body as Christ intended. I believe this means opening ourselves to be unsettled, genuinely transformed, and troubled by His Holy Spirit. When we come together in the name and power of Jesus Christ, SOMETHING should happen both to us as well as to those with whom we interact. God will not, however, force His Spirit on us against our wishes. We delight or grieve His Spirit by our willingness (or lack thereof) to be open to His leading. A cursory reading of God's dealings with the children of Israel as well as His warnings in John's Revelation clearly teaches that He contends with contentious congregations for only so long. God's will marches on; with or without us.

Finally, believers must remember that the Church was not established to make them feel better. It is not a "spiritual ATM" from which we periodically withdraw spiritual or emotional capital. Quite the opposite, it should be a believer's "mutual fund" in which they, along with many others, pour their time, talents, and treasures in order to corporately achieve the greatest good possible. A dear departed saint whom I loved used to say "I've come to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable." Such might be good mission statement for any church.

Just "doing Church?"
Try "being Church!"

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Phil 2:1-2 NIV)
...many Christians are as troubled about what's going on in their congregations as am I ... I also believe God is not displeased with my struggling. The real concern begins when the struggling ceases.

Send a note to Tim Knappenberger at: knapp@raex.com

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