Church is an interesting word

Church is an interesting word. What does it mean? Well, last I checked my Greek dictionary it still means “called-out ones”. How should that meaning affect us today? Well, I think it deals with identity. We define what people are by what they do. Police officers wear uniforms, have guns and protect people. Firemen know how to use a hose, are always ready, and drive red trucks. Sadly, what the world expects from Christians is attendance at “church”, always smiling, opinionated, oh, and don’t forget that fish symbol on their car. That is not the identity Christ wanted for those who bear His name. We are “called out” to prepare people for heaven. To “go and make disciples of all the nations” and “teach them to observe His commands”.

Many church (lower-case “c”) leaders would say, “Yep, and that’s what we’re doing here at (fill in the blank) church.” I would say that yes, this does happen at some “lower case ‘c’” churches. But while most of us will admit that it doesn’t happen at enough churches, I rarely see anyone say that it doesn’t at their church. That is the first problem with many church bodies today. They think things are “fine” at their church. And while things might very well be “fine” at their church, things aren’t “fine” in the world. Let’s think about the attitude behind saying that things are “fine” at a church. I would bet that the person, who says that, when questioned, would say that they, of course, didn’t think that their church is perfect, but it’s healthy enough. I want to make sure and point out that I am not killing all churches. There are some really good churches in this world. What is the difference from a “good” church and a “bad” church, though? Well, again, I think it has more to do with identity.
Let’s remember that (as we’ve heard again and again) the church (upper or lower-case “c”) is not a building. It is a body of believers. Called-out ones. So can’t we admit that the things that make a good church are probably the same or close to the same things that make good church members? And can we admit that it’s just as wrong to think that we are “fine” spiritually as our church is (as mentioned above). Again, few people are proud or conceited enough to say that they are perfect, but virtually every day we tell many people that we are “fine”. And again, I’m not killing people either. But I think it is important to realize that churches and the Church are made up of called out Christians, and the health of churches and the Church has, does and always will depend on the lives of the members.
Having said that, let’s take a moment and list some of the things that DON’T define the health of a church.
Good music
The right witnessing program or structure.
Location, location, location.
Size
A good pastor
Style of worship
A building to meet in.
Etc…
Every item in this list is a good thing. There is nothing wrong with any of these items; they just won’t get the great commission done alone.