Church


What is it?

In thinking about our experiences over the past few years at Vineyard, all we've gone through and where we find ourselves now, I've found myself asking all sorts of questions about the nature of church in general. What is and isn't church? Is it even as cut and dried as that?

A few months ago we were meeting on weekends for a potluck meal at the Gordon's place... but that's all we were doing. And you know, that, was church. I found that through that act of gathering together we were strengthened and encouraged. We didn't show up just 'cause we were hungry... well, maybe Dennis and Lauren did. : ) We came together around a meal because we kinda like each other and because we all believe in, love, and want to follow Jesus.

Tom and I were talking the other day and I'd mentioned this to him, and how I find that my view of church is changing. It's like all of the idealism that I've held out in front of me is now beginning to sync with the reality I find myself in. You know all the times you say to yourself, "Things should be like such and such... if only things were as simple as that in real life." Well those dreams are from God... not last nights cold pizza at midnight.

We talked about growth and how to help facilitate it... and came to the conclusion that the best way to do so, and likely the most effective, would be to meet the neighbours. As a group we need to encourage each other to share God's kingdom within our own individual spheres of influence. I could invite someone to come to one of our informal little church common meals; but that would simply be just inviting them to another thing. But, however, if I invite someone over to my house, or out for a coffee... You see the difference? Am I trying to grow a church by numbers or am I trying to reach out to another human being and make a connection.

When I go to work, I paint, 'cause I'm a painter... that's my job. But when I come home, I get cleaned up and I'm not a painter 'til I go back to work the next day. Very effective. Work doesn't get in the way of life. However, this is not the way to extend the kingdom of God. I cannot expect to bring someone to a meeting, no matter how relaxed, hip, casual, trendy, or post-modern it my be, and expect to grow closer to them or to have them experience church at it's raw core. Church is my family singing before meals, or walking Ian to and from school. Missions is when the six of us go for a walk through the neighbourhood; when we go to McD's for "Burgers and Fries!"

This may sound over simplified, but it's exactly where I find myself currently. I'm learning how to be a Christian all over again. That it's who I am more than what I do. I'm learning that it's the "I" and "We" that make up the church.

Posted: Fri - February 6, 2004 at 03:05 PM      

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