REJECTION OF THE CHURCH

Glenn on Fellowship

The title of this article is basic and becoming more of a current trend. Though some study of the pre-reformation period of church history might yield interesting paralells, the concerns I have go in both directions: "the church" as well as you and I.

I'm not going to argue traditional vs. non-traditional churches here because I frankly think that has little to do with the heart and guts of what ails us when and where we're sick.

We don't want to be passive about spiritual arrogance, or plain old human arrogance among leaders in the traditional churches. But we must not find ourselves eventually passive to the same things though they may be more subtle or take longer to manifest in alternative or house church or other "styles" of local Christian fellowship.

We are tired of manipulation and being overlooked regarding our spiritual gifts and the things we as individuals and groups within a given church believe God is saying to us- i.e., worship forms, use of art, dance, "acceptable pews or chairs or couches or sitting on the floor during meetings, etc..

Yet none of -us- are beyond lobbying others as did Absolom at the city gate. Nobody is so continually pure in motive and humble of heart that they aren't tempted to push, perhaps gossip and even slander and sow discord in the hopes of getting into the place they think they ought to have been either allowed or actually given.

Please hear me- all humans must face their desire to hold others to account. The question is who holds -them- accountable?

If we don't think things are going as we wish, going elsewhere, joining a fellowship more in line with our own views, finding a group of people who become friends, perhaps even starting a congregation that "fits" may very well be the best option and exactly what the Lord is leading.

Having said this, know that every bit of old nature in us travels with us from place to place, group to group- until we allow the Spirit of God to deal with -our- temptations and sins, whether they be self-pity and depression on the one side or anger and biterness on the other. In the end, the "style" or "form" of local church doesn't answer this deeper, individual need to face biblical truth and face ourselves in the mirror God holds up to us.

I've met and presently know people all over the world in incredibly varied local expressions of the church- and what I've written here applies to all of them and certainly me and our fellowship as well!

I -love- living in intentional Christian community. But it's a particular fellowship that I'm living in. The relationships of love, trust and accountability that have been built between myself and my pastors and closest friends have been formed over many years. We've seen heaven and hell (so to speak) and been through a lot of both together. We've prayed, laughed, cried, argued, made up and decided to continue on in what we individually believe is God's call on our respective lives to serve Him and others via this -particular- ministry.

Local churches that have lasted over any length of time contain people who will pretty well tell you the same thing. The experiences aren't hugely different.

For any number of reasons (not always -though sometimes- "sin in your life") you may never find what I have. If you do find such a congregation, or if you prayerfully start one, you still may never find the sort of blessing, satisfaction and sense of belonging others have though you nearly carbon-copy the "kind" of church you really wish to experience. Why not?

Many reasons come to mind, but attitude of heart, willingness to admit one's own arrogance, self-pity and desire for control, mental health issues, laziness, work ethics, majoring in spiritually minor matters or simply judging (false judgment according to the flesh and not God's discernment) others or your own part may preclude you from ever getting where you want to be.

But none of this is automatically linked to the -form- of local church you're in (or looking for), so don't get lost on that side-track!

Sometimes we aren't so much rejecting church- because the church is comprised of all genuine followers of Jesus Christ on earth and in heaven... sometimes what we're rejecting is God's view of what all of us should be facing in our own lives- the need for honesty, repentance, humility, dying to self, laying our lives down for one another. Some of what really ails us has nothing to do with the building- perhaps the electrical system and plumbing in -me- is what needs to change.

IS there need for "new wineskins"? YES!! Does the Holy Spirit move people from place to place? Absolutely! Does every whim in my head and all my desire for change and "my ship coming in" come from God? Not always...

I'm well aware I'm beating a few drums over and over in many ways, but what I'm saying is that I truly hope people don't repeat the same mistakes over and over in trying to "do better than" wherever they've come from... simply due to old nature. Then again, perhaps some will only learn these things in just that sort of continual dissatisfaction?

The great reformers loved God, His Word and yes, THE CHURCH. They did not consider "church" merely as abstract myriads of people. The best of them (name 'em) still messed up, made mistakes, were prone to excess and in every new movement and revival you'd care to study in church history this reality surfaces.

The question is not whether the church needs to change because it's ALWAYS in need of that!! The question is whether we're truly inviting others to hold us to account while we're holding "the church" to account?! Bring it home- can you personally name a few names of people you regularly talk to and confess your own temptation and sins to- who themselves love and pray for but also challenge you and model biblical, spiritual maturity into your life? And do -they- also have such accountable relationships?

In my experience, -this- is where the greatest need is, and where the foundations of -any- form of local church reveal the deepest cracks which will in time produce the greatest amount of collapse as opposed to good and lasting fruit.

Posted 02/07/07