Others will say that the Church is the collective of all believers in Jesus Christ. That answer, too, is overly simplistic, and so it does not substantially answer the question. In truth, the best way to understand "what" the Church is, is to think instead about WHY the Church exists. Of course the Church exists because God wills it and because Christ gave his life to establish the Church; which facts certainly do suggest how important it is for us to understand God's purpose in the Church.
In an earlier essay, titled, "organizing principle", I wrote that "the existing 'model'--which is the basis for the organization and operations of practically all contemporary churches--is clearly not working, nor is it at all workable." That being true--as it is true, and seeing how important the Church is to God, we need to go back to square one, as it were, and examine the reason(s) for which God and Christ brought forth something called the Church, in this world. Of course that subject is much to involved to thoroughly consider in the limited context of a blog. Nevertheless, we may at least introduce some key ideas as starting points for those who care enough to search out answers to the current crisis in 'the Church'.
Let us consider some of what Scripture says--not about Christians as individuals, but about Christians in a collective sense, which is to say, the Church:
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-5).Christians are thus commanded to assemble ourselves together, and for the purpose of "exhorting one another". Here we see two important aspects not of a 'suggestion' nor of a 'recommendation', but of a commandment: 1) Christians are commanded to assemble (regularly) together; and, 2) for the purpose of "exhort[ing] one another", which is to say, Christians are to exhort (strengthen, encourage, urge, entreat) other Christians, in their assemblies. In the above passage of Scripture, Christians are further commanded to assemble together more frequently, according as we "see the day (of the Rapture) approaching". Are we, then, taking that (three-part) commandment to heart? Are we truly obeying the Word of God? Are we really functioning as the Church, in the manner here described?
Let the Reader note, also, that the above-discussed commandment says nothing which even suggests the presence of a "mixed multitude" (unbelievers together with believers) in Christian meetings. The text we are here examining, in the book of Hebrews, is addressed to "brethren" (Hebrews 10:19)--a pronoun which always refers to Christian men (and women).
The following passages further illuminate what is meant by the commandment to "exhort (strengthen and encourage) one another":
"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye" (1 Corinthians 16:1).
"Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).Before we jump to what may seem to be easy conclusions regarding the meaning of those verses, we need to consider an important reality involving the true Church; a reality which has long been forgotten, largely due to the longstanding practice of welcoming a "mixed multitude" to participate in what are supposed to be Christian assemblies. The Word of God states:
"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" (James 2:5).
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (1 Corinthians 1:26).
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25).One of the passages of Scripture, above, clearly states that collections which are raised by the Church, are "for the saints". It is lately very fashionable (some would say compulsory) for churches to espouse a philosophy of "social justice", so-called. Social justice is a phrase which connotes a vaguely defined, albeit strategically effective, idea, one which is increasingly used as propaganda to leverage economic redistribution schemes. Contemporary churches, especially, seem to present 'soft targets', so to speak, to such ideas, as many unregenerate (though religious) persons are easily led to pretend that they really care about their respective communities; which, religious but unconverted people, are then encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to 'social justice', by giving to supposedly 'worthy causes'. Thus, such religious persons are strengthened not in the truth but in their own sense of self-righteousness; and, thus, the ruse is perpetuated, as it appeals to the carnal mind.
Worldly ideas involving social justice, as well as the notion that churches have any duty to regard such ideas, are nowhere taught in the Bible. The Bible does indeed teach true principles of justice which are needful to human society; although, those Biblical doctrines are radically different from what today is popularly called "social justice".
The Scriptures, above, further state and imply that God has "chosen" the "poor". Of course, God does not choose anyone because he or she is poor, nor does God refuse any because one is wealthy. But because rich persons tend, generally speaking, to put their trust in their own riches and, so, few among the rich perceive any real need for God in their lives; whereas, by comparison, many more from among the poor readily perceive and confess their need of God: thus it is to be understood what the Scripture means, which says that God has "chosen" the "poor".
The important point I'm trying to make, concerning the financial status of those whom God has "chosen" in Christ, is, that the true Church (in contrast to the "mixed multitude") mostly consists of relatively poor people. Why is that important to consider? Because, it has much to do with our understanding of God's commandments directing Christians to strengthen and encourage one another, as well it helps us to understand the meaning and purpose of "collection[s] [offerings] for the saints". From whom are such collections to be gathered, and for whom are those (occasional) collections received? In the true Church assembled, monies or other goods are to be collected from the congregation (which mostly consists of poor people). Those monies and/or goods are then meant to be distributed to other Christians in that same congregation--or to Christians in other churches--most of whom, also, are poor. (Scripture admonishes against giving to the rich: Proverbs 22:16.)
The intent of Scripture actually goes even further than what is suggested, above. Consider, if you will, the meaning of the following:
"Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see [make sure] that ye abound in this grace [giving to the saints] also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: as it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack" (2 Corinthians 8:7-16).That aspect, that measure, of the mind of Christ is very 'strong meat', for most Christians, to swallow. Make no mistake, however: the Bible nowhere endorses any plan or philosophy of Socialism. Rather, the Word of God instructs Christians concerning the true meaning of love. And love is the great prize which Christians are to share together in Christ. Moreover, both the fact as well as the manner in which Christians express Christ's love one to another, is the Church's most effectual witness, to the world, of the reality and truth of the risen Savior and Lord Jesus Christ:
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).The foregoing discussion reminds me of a true story of a minister whom I know very well. This minister was invited to speak to a local Christian congregation, in a series of meetings in Haiti. Wanting to be well prepared for the first night of the meeting, this minister went to the meeting place fully two hours early, in order to pray. When he arrived, however, he found that a very large crowd had already gathered--and was already deep into corporate prayer and worship. The next night--not wanting to be 'late', he arrived four hours ahead of the scheduled meeting time, only to discover that many were already gathered in the tent. He later learned that many of them lived such a great distance from the meeting place that they chose to stay throughout the week, rather than attempt to travel--by foot--back and forth between meetings. In every service, the minister reported to me, two offerings were received: one of which was given to pay what 'overhead' costs were associated with conducting those meetings; while the other offering was distributed among the poorest of that generally poor congregation of Haitians.
In all my years as a Christian, I have never once seen such a thing done by any church I have ever attended in America. But the foregoing testimony clearly represents, to my mind, what the true Church should both be and do, in the context of the "assembly"--and not merely with respect to finances.
Thus far in this essay not a word has been said about church 'buildings'. For, there is no necessary relationship between physical buildings and the ministry of Christians "one to another". Christians do not need buildings, in order to "exhort one another", to help and encourage one another, in various ways, whether financially, or in counseling, or in prayer. Much less do Christians need buildings, in order to worship God. The Bible plainly states, in fact, that Christians themselves are the only kind of 'building' in which God dwells. The physical body of each and every true Christian is God's temple, according to Scripture.
Extravagant expenditures for buildings are not only unnecessary to the assemblages of Christians. Moreover, inordinate spending on buildings and their furnishings--which buildings typically sit empty the majority of time, is prima facie evidence that such a congregation's leadership is way out of touch with the Spirit of God, to say the least. That is not to say, of course, that a body of Christians may not secure to themselves a building in which to meet, especially, in the case that none of their respective homes is sufficiently large to accommodate the assembled group.
If the true Church mostly consists of those who, relative to their respective culture, are comparatively poor persons, then, the handling of Christians' freewill offerings, as well as the need to give due attention to those persons' respective needs, requires that their monetary (and other) gifts must be stewarded wisely in accordance with Scripture. The Church's goals involving finances properly include: 1) first of all, ministering to the basic needs among the 'home' congregation; 2) providing--or, at least, supplementing the pastor's income (in the case that a congregation may at all be capable to do that--and, to compensate the pastor in a measure that is not disproportionate to the general character of that particular body of Christians); 3) ministering to the needs of Christians in other congregations, as that may be called for; ; and, 4) supporting missionary work where possible. In the course of providing for those necessary things, expenditures for building/s should be allocated according to each congregation's capacity, and types of ministry.
That last statement may seem to imply that (numerically) larger and more affluent churches may be justified to provide themselves with proportionately larger and more elaborate facilities. But that is not my intention. This is a generation which has witnessed the phenomenal rise of so-called mega-churches; which, super-sized churches, in my experience, appear to be the envy of every major denomination as well as of most church leaders everywhere. However, most--if not in fact all--comparatively large churches (including but not limited to 'mega' churches) are able to obtain and maintain elaborate facilities--only because those churches' finances are not administered for the purposes set forth in Scripture, and as above delineated. Rather, such churches' funds are misappropriated and used for carnal purposes, i.e., for: building and maintaining elaborate facilities; to remunerate a small handful of high-salaried church leaders; and, to enrich the coffers of parent denominational organizations--virtually all of which are run by a cadre of highly paid administrators. It is certainly true, in the case of most (every?) large churches, that such churches have no real commitment to provide meaningful and substantive assistance to those poorer Christians amongst their respective congregations. Nor do those churches, generally speaking, demonstrate any meaningful and substantive commitment to fund efforts related to impacting local communities with the Gospel. Lastly, supporting missionaries abroad is neither an acceptable substitute nor justification for failing to provide for more needful purposes closer to 'home'.
It is apparently true (in the considerable experience of this writer,) that genuine Revival has not occurred in America any time during the past twenty to thirty years or so. That being the case, it suggests that numerically large congregations are large because they are spiritually compromised. And if they are not spiritually compromised, how is it that large churches, evidently, are not effecting any substantial and positive change in the larger culture within and among those cities where such large churches thrive? How is it that the culture within America's cities is debauched, and increasingly so, notwithstanding the presence of vast numbers of large and, supposedly, spiritually healthy (powerful) churches in the midst? The Bible reveals the testimony--not of Christians themselves, but of unbelievers, who complained that a small band of Christians who had "turned the world upside down, are come hither also" (Acts 17:6). That's the result of genuine Christianity in action; which contrasts sharply with the impotence of modern Christian churches--in America, at least.
The Church in convocation (Christians meeting together for 'services'), is not essentially a venue for soul-winning, that is to say, that Christian services are not essentially for the purpose of preaching to unsaved persons. After you get over the shock of that statement, consider, if you will, that soul-winning is the privilege and duty of every Christian person, individually. We are personally called of God to be witnesses of Jesus Christ, everywhere we go. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," Jesus commands: not preachers only, but all of Christ's disciples. Witnessing and soul-winning must be among every Christian's highest purposes at all times. Whether at work, or at the market, or in any other place: Christian witnessing is what the Bible calls "sowing the seed" of the Word of God.
The congregations of most churches in America include many unconverted persons who habitually attend services, yet who do not come to true repentance and faith in Christ. That circumstance is what I refer to as a "mixed multitude". When unbelievers do sometimes come into meetings where real Christians are gathered together, they will invariably come under the convicting power of the Holy Ghost, and repent and surrender to Christ--or, else, they will leave and not come again among such Christian meetings. The true Church in convocation should NOT be a comfortable experience for unconverted souls, be it should be the most uncomfortable environment in which unbelievers may find themselves to be. But not so as to make them feel unwanted or unloved but, rather, that sinners should invariably come under the convicting power of the Holy Ghost, when they are among the assembly of the saints of God.
The assembly of the saints should be the closest thing to Heaven on earth. When a sinner comes into the midst of the Church, he or she should be about as comfortable as a demon walking around, exposed, on that golden Main Street in Heaven, in the very Presence of the Almighty God, and of the holy angels, and of that multitude of "just men made perfect".
Worldly churches, on the other hand, are nothing other than a reflection of the world itself--suspended, as it were, between Heaven and Hell, and having not too much of either one. The worldly church is not too unlike 'home', to the unbeliever.How may the lost then be reached? Sinners should first be evangelized outside of the church building. In the course of witnessing to unbelievers, it is certainly proper to invite them to church services--in order as the Spirit of God leads. Nevertheless, it should never be the case that unconverted persons should be allowed to become 'permanent fixtures', so to speak, among the Church; whenever it is discerned that, rather than sincerely seeking after God, the presence of such persons, who are persistently resistant to the Word and the Sprit of God, instead serves to hinder the working of the Spirit of God in the Church.
The Church--for which Jesus Christ gave his life, is not a social club. The Church, as that is described in Scripture, is comprised of God's "elect", His "chosen". The Church has a mandate from God to be "holy", "pure", and un-mixed with the world. The Church furthermore has the mandate to "love one another"--"fervently". Scripture nowhere suggests that the Church should have an "open door policy", so as to allow anyone to come--at any time and in any way they may choose--into the midst of the Church's meetings. Yet, whensoever a sinner may come into the assembly of the saints, that soul must KNOW--by virtue of the conduct and demeanor of every Christian assembled in the Presence of the thrice-holy God, that he or she is on holy ground.
A clearer picture of what is meant by "the Church" is now unfolding before us. What is the Church? The Church is a body of Christ's disciples working together to build up the Kingdom of God in the hearts and lives of one another. The result of which strengthens those disciples as they labor, from day to day, among the world; in the course of which, each Christian so strengthened strives to win souls to Christ, from out of the world. The Church, then, is not an organization as such, but it is a group of Christian persons living in society with each other, for the purpose of growing in the knowledge and grace of God and, so, increasing in the experience of the life of Christ. Godly churches are manifested in their ability to produce consistently godly character in the lives of all of their members; and, as a consequence also of that, godly churches produce zealous and effectual soul-winners.
None of which has anything to do with: large and ornate church buildings; or choir robes; or a programmed approach to conducting church services; or sensual entertainment passed off as 'praise-and-worship'; or 'seeker-friendly' gimmicks designed to make church services attractive and comfortable for sinners; or 'come-as-you-are' messages devoid of convicting power; or the preaching of, and uncritical acceptance of, false doctrines; or pastors and other church leaders who function more like dictators than as servants of the Church; or a mindset which segregates and compartmentalizes "church", from the rest of life; or traditions of men, which have no warrant in Scripture (this is a great stumbling block for many); or giving to the church, which funds never return in kind to the givers; or.........
(to be continued......)
No comments:
Post a Comment