The consumer
As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before a growing issue in the church is the seeming infusion of western consumerism. It has lead to something that resembles supermarket Christianity. The seemingly clear (at least to me) call from the New Testament to get involved with a local congregation has given way to our need to received dynamic teaching and worship that suits our style. If we are not receiving what we need then we simply ‘shop’ elsewhere for it; or don’t ‘shop’ at all. Not only are we encourage to go local, but we are also warned ..to not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing (Heb: 10: 22-25).
A Revelation of Church
I was recently encouraged by a friend of mine to take a serious look at the Book of Revelation. Traditionally this, the final book in the Bible is either avoided (people fear the pictorial language will confuse them and that it has little relevance unless we are facing the end of the world) or become obsessed by it (looking for signs of the end being neigh in every situation across the world which takes the headlines). I think I probably fitted somewhere into the first category. I was challenge to study it as it is actually the only book of the New Testament written by Jesus himself; albeit dictated to John.
Anyway, having just got through the first section; the seven letters to the seven churches, something really struck me that I felt was relevant to this topic. Jesus was at times scathing in his attacks on a number of the churches. He picked out their issues, explained the sever consequences (being spat out of his mouth doesn’t sound good to me) but never once said; therefore go to the church up the road because they have it sorted.
The seven churches in Revelation are relatively very close together. You could walk around them all in about 2 days. It would have been perfectly feasible for Jesus to encourage the ‘holy & spiritual’ members to simply go up the road to a church that would better meet their needs. Be He doesn’t. Why? Because one of the themes throughout the Bible is that by enduring and overcoming we claim the prize. And I believe that this can start with the Church.
The letter to the church at Laodicea sums this up perfectly.
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarmââ?¬â?neither hot nor coldââ?¬â?I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev 3: 14-22)
They are described as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”. And yet they are told; not to close and move on, but to repent. Probably one of the most misused verses in the Bible is Revelation 3:20. The door in this verse is not the door to the human heart as many evangelists over the years would have us believe. It is completely inadequate when talking to non-believers as there is no mention of repentance, baptism or receiving the Holy Spirit. This door is the door to a church which Jesus has not attended for some time. However, if any one person in that church hears the call and allows Jesus back into the church then He will come in and dine with that person. Verse 21 states quite clearly the need for individuals to overcome the situation they are in and it also spells out their reward.
Teenaged encouragement
I was so encourage last week by a group of teenagers who have been struggling of late with church. The issues are not on the scale of Laodicea but are about the much more usual question of style. Their solution blew me away and offered much hope for the future. Instead of; like a number of more ‘mature’ members, staying away from church and complaining about it, they wanted to get together and pray for it. Pray for the good things that go on, pray for the things they struggle with, pray for the leaders (something we are all called to do), pray for the sense of relationship and community, and pray for themselves as they seek to find their place in all. Such a level of maturity, and hunger for God was certainly an example to myself and Jo.
I’ve gone on too long. So to conclude I will finish with where I began. Church is Jesus’ solution for our nation. It was designed to take the good news to the community and to encourage its members on the way. It is not a disposable consumer product. If things are not going well (or maybe simply not to your taste) then yes it is hard. Jesus knows it’s going to be hard; this is why terms like ‘overcome’ are used. But those who do overcome will be the ones who claim the prize. The prize both in this world, and the next.
So practically how can we do this? Our teenagers offer one amazing example. Prayer is the place which we must all start. Does anybody out there offer any other tips?
Enjoyed the post Rob, especially the new idea, for me, of the door being a door to a church which had excluded Christ. Like you, I’m convinced that the church is the radical community of Jesus in the midst of the world, placed here to show the world what true human life intended to be.
And it’s more than simply offering sermons or music and so on, though this is part. I think we sometimes underestimate the gift of presence. Simply being present in a community with a community over a long period of time. Check out ‘Out of the Ordinary’ on http://www.contemporarychristianity.org/resources/devotional.htm which may be a ‘tip’ in practicing presence
Thanks Glenn, that is a really interesting link. There certainly is something to be said for churches that have built a reputation in the community.
To be known as a force for good in a particular area has to be positive. I guess it can be easy to overlook the spiritual dimension on this.
Often we can be so worried about what our Church is seen to be doing that we do not engage in the spiritual battle as well.
That article provides a really interesting way of doing just that.