As some of you know, I work as the youth pastor at my church. This is an exciting mission. I love working with youth and providing building blocks for them to have a Godly future. I love the church and desire to work full time ministering to the body and to the community. My heart is to plant a church in the next five years at the very latest. Even if I do this, though, I don't think I will stop working with youth.
Our church identity is currently changing. I don't want to say what the identity was or is moving to as that defeats the purpose of this question, but the fact that it is changing got me thinking. I have read books that share part of "How to Improve Your Church", and a host of other topics that relate, but I want to get more perspective on the matter. So I thought I would ask the question, "what should the perfect church look like?"
If you read this blog, please take a few minutes to write a comment with your thoughts on the matter. I appreciate your input.
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I wonder how far from it we (the North American church) are on this?
I doubt Peter wore any fancy robes, hats or a collar.
I don't think the men in the early church wore ties.
Did they have lots of programs?
I am sure they had lots of Potluck dinners!
I think of a Todd Agnew song called 'My Jesus'. He says, "My Jesus wouldn't be accepted in my church, because he might get blood or dirt on the carpet."
We once went to a church that I think was the closest we've ever seen to the way it is supposed to be.
We had weekly meals together at which we fed the poor and also fed lunch to a group of neighbourhood kids.
We operated a clothing exchange for used clothing.
It felt like a real community and way of life.
It was not about programs or appearances - it was about loving and serving people and being Jesus to them.
I know it wasn't perfect... if it was, we would probably still be there. But we have never been anywhere else that felt as real or had the same effect on us.
It's well and good to have a sermon, but there's a reason that "sermon" has a negative connotation in daily life. Maybe after the sermon -- or even during the sermon -- there should be some question and answer, or debate, or a way for the listener to participate. I gathered that's what happened in the Berean church of the bible. I picture them all sitting around a long folding table with styrofoam cups of Joe in their hands, studying and discussing the Word in a typical, animated Middle Eastern fashion. (And then rushing off to the potluck when it is over...)
I too am a minister, but I come from a background that may have a slightly different perspective. Of course, we recognize that as long as churches are made up of imperfect people, there will never be a completely "perfect church." However, my idea of a "perfect church" (and the word "perfect" in the scripture often means complete, whole, mature) is one that follows the Biblical pattern revealed by Christ through the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Of course, there will be many results from following this pattern, such as growth, but whether a church is growing (numerically) or not shouldn't define its purpose and identity, but whether or not it is faithful in following God's pattern (after all, following 120 years of preaching, Noah managed to save only himself and his immediate family). One motto that I encourage churches to follow is to be a place where "truth is preached and love is practiced."
I'd have to say that I'm much in line with Blog on the Fire on this. One of the more influential books I've read regarding church life is an online book called "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore" by Jake Colson. He (actually it's two writers, so 'they') helped me see that programs tend to reward people for performance while true relationship with each other and with the Father have a much more profound impact, truly changing us from the inside out. I don't want to "do my weekly duty." I want to enjoy a gracious and honest relationship with God and my friends.
I believe that real church happens on a much smaller scale, between 5 to 10 people who support each other through prayer, encourage each other with the Word, and seek a relationship with God that is authentic.
Worship is less complicated than a choir and orchestra. It's one person joining with others in giving a gift to their Creator. Relationship with others is deeper than a "Hi-how-ya-doin'?" with someone you never met before, more intimate than a classmate, and happens more than one day a week.
In short, church is what happens in my home group. What happens on Sunday is... I don't know... something else.
I replied to this question on my blog
Russ here...first of all, I personally think the question is framed incorrectly. As far as I know, in Scripture, it's referred to as "the church;" nowhere is it "my church." (I think it belongs to some Jesus guy. It's His.) (slight sarcasm sub-routine off) Anyway, the local parts of that, which we call "my church," are supposed to represent the greater whole and Master, as His ambassadors. Props to Steve for mentioning the online book “So You Don’t Want To Go Church Anymore?” I too have read that; it’s a tremendous look at our “church culture” here in America. We are WAAAAAY too program oriented, and commensurately, way too performance oriented. We are a “get stuff done” society, and that mind-set has inextricably invaded the body of Christ here in the USA. So, we take our self-image, our “status,” our sense of personal fulfillment, from “church work” just like we do from our jobs. And as a result, I believe we in America cannot, Can. Not. properly live out Psalms 46:10. The Church, His Church, is about relationships, not gold stars on the name chart. So, the “perfect church” would echo Jesus’ commitment and priorities to relationships, emotional investment in our immediate circles of interaction, and edifying involvement with those who need help.
If we use the accounts of the early church in Acts as our template, I don’t see any precedent for what we in America call “church.” I DO see that Acts model in other parts of the world: China, India, the Mid-East, Africa. What’s the difference? These present day believers, like the believers in Acts, are undergoing horrendous persecution. I often see in print that “we need to get back to the example of the first century church.” Uh-huh. Those who espouse that opinion conveniently avoid the necessary “persecution and death” part of that model. Of course we can learn from them, but honestly, I don’t want to live that way. I really like the fellowship & eating together & helping each other out parts, but I don’t want the “run away from the guys with swords” part. Call me weird that way. FWIW
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