Recently, someone recalled for me a story from their local church. As with seemingly many churches these days, there had been a disagreement regarding song selection. While the older generation in the congregation didn’t mind music that ‘wasn’t their style’, a large number were disturbed by a recent trend started by a new music director: constant jazz music. But the problem was not in and of itself the jazz…it was the fact that this music was played in every service, all the time. As with many congregations filled with unique individuals of all age groups, this happened to disrupt many of the older generation. At first they felt awkward, but did not want to make waves or cause any trouble as many thought it may just simply be their own personal issue. But eventually one after another over coffee the issue worked itself out and many came to realize this was a widespread issue among many people in the church. Trying to handle the situation in a delicate yet constructive manner, a few members contacted the pastoral staff for a meeting and thereafter relayed their concerns on behalf of part of the congregation. However, to date the only real response given was that they needn’t worry, as the situation would be ‘looked into further’. Since then, the same problem exists with many uncomfortable congregants feeling disconnected, still politely waiting for a response…yet so dismayed and confused that some are considering skipping the worship section of the service altogether.
While sad, can we really be so surprised that there are so many small quarrels and misunderstandings that start small, and yet either embroil the church in harsh feelings or separations?
What is the ‘church’? I ask this because most people, even Christians, consider the church a building where Christians meet at least one day a week. To many, being a ‘Christian’ means at least meeting in that building at least once a week, giving some money in the offering plate, and hopefully helping out with a congregational project at least once in a while.
But is that really what the ‘church’ is? What does the Bible say?
I encourage you: Go grab your Bible, and read through the New Testament with the establishment of the ‘church’. What is the church? Is it a building? Or is a gathering of Believers? One term used often is the “Body of Christ”, which can be found in 1 Corinthians 12:
“1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14For the body is not one member, but many.
15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
Are we not, then, a collection of people who have accepted Jesus as their personal savior, see themselves as sinners, and that they desire to lead a life pleasing to God…which is described and shared to us through the Bible? And does this not also then include staying in close contact and community with other like-minded Believers for support and advice?
Look around at the churches in your community, and look at the church you may attend. Does it follow Biblical principals? Besides questions of statements of faith regarding sin, baptism, and the like….Does your church: take care of the poor, sick, orphaned, and widowed? Does it openly share with each other, so that none are found wanting? Are the sick, for example, visited by the deacons of the congregation and prayed over…being anointed by oil? Is the leadership in your church similar to that found in Scripture? If not…why?
I challenge you: Read through your New Testament, and see if these are or are not characteristics of what the “Body of Believers” should be!
In fact, I believe you will find that if we examine our churches, many will find that we follow more tradition based on Christianizing pagan philosophy and other elements than on Scripture. And if this is so, I would hope the question you are asking (or have before) asked yourself is: WHY??? And if we do find ourselves falling short of what we find in Scripture…Are we not obligated to change our own ways, instead of making Scripture somehow fit how we want to do things?
After examining ourselves…Are we really living up to our most basic and foundational, SCRIPTURAL duties as a ‘church’? If not, no wonder why we are floundering around much of the time, wondering why we never see the Hand of God in our lives! Many are taken aback by stories of traveling missionaries who are living life by faith, and thereby by the Word of God in the Bible! But how many have stopped to wonder if they themselves are not doing the same! Are we truly living as the Bible describes? Or do we live our lives how we want, and pick a few things out of the Bible that we like and agree with as well? As a Christian, can we accept that we do things partly according to Scripture…and then partly to just how we like it, regardless?
As we read above, the Body of Christ is made of many parts, who have many spiritual gifts and talents to provide. I would like to quickly point out 3 groups…and ask you: Do you see THIS in your church?:
Group #1: The youth. They have energy…usually according to the older ones, way too much. 
The youth have all kinds of energy and are quickly excited by talk of new thoughts and ideas. While they do not necessarily have other resources such as knowledge or money, they are bright burst of energy looking for new ways to make a difference. However, many times society and even their congregations view working with them an extra chore, (and some to varying degrees as annoyances or headaches, based on many factors). Overall, they have the will and the drive, but many times do not have resources such as money or experience to help steer themselves. Therefore, many look to adults seeking approval or guidance.
Group #2: The young adults. They find themselves normally quite busy with finishing school, building families, and are generally accepted by society as the main group who should shoulder the most responsibilities (even believe that themselves). While they still have lots of energy, most seems to be used at work, raising the family, and helping out with church or other various social activities or functions their family is involved in. While they have more experience than the youth, they still are not as wise as the older adults and besides…life is just so busy! While they have more finances than when they were youth, much of this also goes towards family related activities. Wow, life is so busy!!
Group #3: The older adults. They find themselves with increasingly more personal time on their hands as many have already raised families and/or have held major positions of leadership within the congregation previously. They are told by society that they are getting ‘too old’, and have already done their part in society and the congregation…and so now they are not expected to contribute as much time. They are expected to almost fade off gradually into the sunset until they die. But, until then, it is hoped that many will also contribute much of their savings money which has been built up over years of working. While they tend to have a collective vast amount of experience to draw from, this is normally not welcome unless in the form of some cute story or antidote. Many are viewed as already ‘tapped’ for what they can now contribute, and…again…money is the main thing which comes to mind and is readily asked for or expected from the two younger groups.
Do you recognize these groups? Have you experienced them in your church…perhaps even in your family…before? Is this Scriptural? And ask yourself: If we try to function as a ‘Church Body’? When it comes to ‘youth’ events, ‘mother/father/young family/husband/wife’ groups….or “elderly” meetups…. How many people from the ‘other’ groups are represented? I bet there are some who feel very strongly about keeping in touch with other age (or even interest) groups, but…for the majority, they for some reason or another don’t mix much with other people in their congregation outside of a smaller group or segment. Is there much mixing going on….Are the different groups, which have different traits, gifts, resources and responsibilities….Are they ever really ‘put together’ as the Body of Christ?
And if we are as Believers many times segmented into age groups, believing we for some reason are better suited to staying within certain cliques….Is it any wonder why we cannot get as much accomplished as we had hoped? Just think, if everyone were willing to work together as a community, freely contributing their resources, talents and gifts….Think of what good we could do for our communities! Think of how many people we could help….And (gasp) think of how that may just follow what Scripture tells us!
As a part of the Body of Christ as a Believer….Do you and your congregation follow the Biblical example of how a church should function, and what its reponsibilities are? Or…if not…what does your church base itself upon?
Put it to you this way: Isn’t that exactly what the Enemy wants? To split us up…Divide and Conquer? Just think if we put our energy….leadership…..and experience……Think if we put all of these various resources together! What could God do through us then by working together? How much can we get done…separately? (And most importantly: How does God want us to live and work? )
What do you think?
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