Simply Church
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What if church had no building, no programs, no pastor, no budget? Would it be church? What if a community of Christians cared for each other, studied together prayed together, and discerned God’s spirit together, would they be church?
I spend my days in churches, thinking about churches, helping churches, starting new churches and closing churches … I preach 2-3 Sundays every month at many different churches … I hear about the programs, the budgets, the pastors, the sessions, the choir, the women’s association … I love churches, and I hate churches. I practically live in churches, but I don’t have one to call “home.”
Actually, in my own life, I’m tired of dressing up, of sitting in pews, of listening to bad choirs (I like the good ones, but I don’t get to hear too many of them). I’m tired of potlucks and picture directories and building campaigns. Yet … I long for church … simply church.
So …. some friends and I are being church together … no frills … just spiritual community. We’re meeting twice a month in my kitchen (maybe someday in my hottub); we’re reading a book together; we’re praying for each other and encouraging each other as we all live the lives to which God calls us out.
There’s a “simple church” movement taking off in the US … church in the workplace, church in bars, church in homes, church in school cafeterias, church in coffee shops and bookstores and dormitories … you name it, wherever two or more are gathered in my name … These are just groups of people loving Christ together and seeking to expand our understanding, our commitment, our prayer life, our compassion, our mission … not much different than the Christ followers of the first century. It’s an organic approach to Christian community rather than a programmatic approach. It’s more about being Christ in the world than gathering on a Sunday morning.
If this sounds intriguing to you, if you think you might like to join us … send me an email, message me, call me, or just leave a comment … I’ll tell you when we’re meeting next.
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February 2nd, 2008 at 10:20 am
i love the book and can’t wait for discussion!!
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Hi Wendy,
I haven’t met you but I’ve followed a blog trail to your post. I kind of choked up when I read this post. I know how you feel. I belong to a church but just can’t get to the Sun. sermon or all of the potlucks. Luckily we have small groups, and that’s what I tend to do more. I can’t wait to read more of what you’ve written!
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Hi Wendy,
I just found your website, and liked this post. I would say the defining characteristic of a church has nothing to do with its structure, building or even its worship traditions. The defining characteristic is Jesus. In Matthew 16:16-17, Jesus said that He would build His church on a Rock. There are different ideas about whether that Rock was Jesus Himself, or the Truth about Him that had been revealed to Peter in Verse 16 - that He was the Christ, the Son of God- but as far as I’m concerned they are pretty much the same thing anyway. If you come together in His name, for the purpose of fulfilling His mission of giving hope and salvation to a lost world, and to encourage one another, it looks like church to me.
I do however believe that there is a Biblical pattern and a great benefit in ministering in the same “church” or group of people over extended periods of time. Simply skipping between groups would leave you with no brothers and sisters who truly knew you or your problems. The other danger of the “simple church” is the same danger that is faced by the institutional church - diversion from mission. We always have to check our motives for doing what we are doing - are they about Christ or our own self-interest.
If you are interested, you can see what we are doing with the church that meets in our house at http://www.centerlane.org