Saturday, July 17: Whose church is it?

Driving down the highways and byways of the towns in the United States, it is apparent that there are more churches than Starbucks, in a variety of shapes, sizes and denominations. Most people attending church think that their own denomination is the only one that believes correctly. The word “church” first appears in Matthew 16:18, when Jesus says, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Even that verse causes a schism as Catholics believe it is speaking of Peter being the foundation of their church, while evangelical Christians believe that the Rock is Jesus, contrasting the name of Peter, or Cephas, meaning “little stone,” with the Rock of our salvation, Jesus, who is certainly not a little stone.


In Greek, the word church is ecclesia, meaning “called out ones.” We have been called out of the world by God to minister to others with the gifts God gives us. Church is not a building, but the people inside the building. Whether or not you believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, a mid-tribulation rapture or a post-tribulation rapture, you are members of the same church. It’s not when you go, but who you see when you get there! It better be Jesus! Whether you believe in full immersion baptism, sprinkling or dipping, you are members of the same church. Sprinkled, dipped and dunked are more important terms at Dunkin’ Donuts!


God’s church is the body of Christ! Some people like to hang out with Tonto, for they are the Lone Rangers, who shy away from situations where they will be hurt again, as most have suffered critical wounds from inside the church. Those pains inflicted by fellow church members or even church leaders hurt much more deeply than the ones that come from unbelievers, as we expect the abuse from the world (John 15:18). Typically, those wounds occur when the church is being run like a corporation rather than like a hospital. If the pastor thinks he is the CEO, he has forgotten whose church it really is!

Church is a place of worship, fellowship and food, and the food should be a double blessing, as each person attending has the opportunity to feed and be fed. Sadly, the food in our churches today resembles the restaurants of the world. Some offer little more than a homily, not much more than the thought of the day. Many people in these churches complain if the sermon goes too long, as their diet is entirely fast food. Pastors pick and choose which aspects of the Bible they will teach and which they will avoid. Rather than being fed a healthy, balanced diet, the people attending those churches fill up on dessert (stories that make them feel good about themselves) and completely sidestep the entrée and the vegetables (anything that makes the people feel uncomfortable with their own sins). Then there are the churches similar to all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets. The people eat so much they can’t get up, and never would take the first step in preparing a plate for someone else. MSG goes to the brain! It’s hard to find the perfect fit, but God wants us to remain in fellowship.


23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25


Those gifts that God gives are not for our own edification, but to minister to others. A pastor once told me that the Bible was meant to be taught simply, and that was the way he taught it. Unfortunately, he was missing the point. God created us all, and He made us so marvelously and wonderfully different. Some people desire simplicity, while others desire depth. There are pastors at every level of the spectrum in that regard, using the gifts that God has given them in exactly the way He desires. As Christians we never grow to the point where we no longer need to be fed. Yet it doesn’t take a pastor to feed you.

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
 John 14:26


It might take some time, but find a church that teaches the Word of God from start to finish. Find a church with a pastor who teaches the depth of the Bible your heart desires. Just like manna in the wilderness, God continues to feed us daily! Find a church where you can serve others. If you have been hurt, forgive and turn the other cheek. God wants us all to be in fellowship with others who will love us as we love them. He didn’t say it was going to be easy!


And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Colossians 1:18