Of Psychology and Psychosomatics

After being out of regular attendance at a Sunday church group- and basically out of fellowship with any church group whatsoever (and you can tell me if the two should be related)- for over a year, I’ve had plenty to think about when it comes to the Christian church today. I’m probably going to get a lot of guff for this, but I’m willing to hear your opinion if it isn’t insulting or whiny. You don’t have to read this, after all. (Please note: I will use the word “member” to describe a routine attendee. Not necessarily an official, regularly-paying, written-and-recorded “Member” of a particular church.)

In my opinion, the Christian church has broken from its original purpose – the fellowship and uplifting of believers – and become another tool for outreach. I don’t know when it changed, or who decided to make it that way, but ever since, almost every organized church has followed suit. So you’ll see them, often standing just off the street, with cross roof ornaments and electric signs, announcing their presence and looking as inviting as possible. The front has been scrubbed white, the signs dance and change and flash news updates, the parking lot always has at least two or three cars for the wandering week-visitor, and sometimes that Sunday’s sermon title and service times. They go by all kinds of names – First Baptist of ____, or Our Lady of Saints, or some other cool name, doubly informing the passerby of its denomination and its location. And with each denomination comes a different approach to teaching and fellowship. Some are quieter, some are fiercer, some have your beliefs, some are just friendly. So people go “church-shopping” until they find one they prefer, and attend there until…whenever. Some visitors stay, some leave. The church who attracts many people grows, and builds larger structures to host its congregation, and each time the offering plate is passed, the tax-deductible funds collected are sent straight into growing the church.

Did I get it? Let me know. Anyway, that’s how I’ve seen it. There’s a lot more involved, but I’m describing the physical growth of a church in “attending members.”

So what’s my problem with all this? Because it’s focused on physical growth. Because it’s outreach-oriented; intent on attracting, and keeping, as many people as possible. I’ll list the reasons:

1. The more who come, the more ministry can occur.
2. Each time an attendee is converted to Christianity, it adds to the church body members.
3. The money donated can go into the structures, leader payrolls, and outreach programs.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but only one of the parts of one of those reasons had to do with outreach. Ministry, a huge factor in supposed church doctrine, is adopted in order to draw members. We weren’t told to bring more members in to our individual groups…we were commissioned to draw people to Christ, and His church. And buildings—! Christians met in households, and not ONLY because of persecution. They met in households in Corinth, where they weren’t pursued, and in Galatia, where it was free to do so. Payrolls were never an issue, because the leaders had jobs in the community. (Those are other huge topics for later.)

The ultimate result of constant outreach using the church group is a stagnant community. Sure, the physical attendance has grown to large amounts, but the ones who suffer are the Christians who come for true fellowship and to learn and grow themselves. When a church focuses on bringing visitors in, it must make the visitors #1 above all else. That means Sunday morning teachings by the pastor must be written for the new or young believer, and the older and more mature Christians cannot grow deeper in God with surface material. Stagnation is from nothing moving, and even physical growth is unable to awaken a soundly-beaten dead horse for very long. Even if the church is non-denominational.

Just try to think of the problems associated with an outgrown church that isn’t paying attention to needy Christians anymore.

• Less attention on internal problems and more on outer situations.
• A drive to be trendy in order to attract more visitors – leading to often unBiblical and sinful practices.
• Adaptation of worldly leadership roles and structures, turning it into a business.
• Division over doctrine, and trying to please everyone, splits and disfigures people for a long time after.
• Christ often forgotten as power struggles, arguing doctrine, and financial burdens overpower all else.

…Just to name a few.

The church shouldn’t be used as an outreach tool, plain and simple. Outreach is for individuals to do all day, every day, for anyone. Each of our lives should be examples of Christ, and our windows are opened every time we open our mouths on the streets. People see us as individual Christians…not as a group of nameless, faceless people. Really, if you were a non-believer, would you rather be introduced to Christianity through a person, or a huge group of people you don’t know? Which do you think is more effective at spreading the Word…a person sharing his beliefs in a Spirit-led way, or a bunch of people standing and singing a hymn? Think about it before going on.

Obviously, I’ve presented a flaw in the modern Christian church (and I think I can safely say In Most Cases) that I believe has been the cause of many flaws we see apparent today. I’ll record some Bible verses after I’m all done that I feel back my claim. But I won’t leave this alone just yet.  I’ve been accused of being judgmental and critical before, and “not helping the church by criticizing it”. Well, I am of the belief that criticism is just another way to perfection, and being humble enough to accept honest, Godly criticism is beneficial to everyone. However, I’ll also present my view of how a church fellowships that is strengthening and uplifting for Christians, God-centered and Christ-focused, and lacking some rudimentary problems that invade and destroy the first two.

Can we all agree that the Church of Christ is the most important thing we have on this earth? Can we all agree that without it, we will be susceptible to the enemy’s attacks, and that there is strength in numbers? Can we agree that fellowship with one another, with our BROTHERS and SISTERS IN CHRIST!…and the building up and bonding is what we long for, after Christ? Can we agree that our wisdom and knowledge comes from God, and we should share it with all who ask for it?

If so, then it’s not hard to change.

Here’s what I’d like to see: A Church that didn’t focus on Bringing People In.

If this happens, here’s what could arise:

• A church that was perfectly fine with abandoning funds, donations, buildings, programs, 501c3’s, pastors, praise teams, sermons, offering plates, youth groups, sound boards, pews, denominational functions, monthly communions, discipleship groups, parking lots, playgrounds, private schools, pizza night, leadership training, resumes, budgets, secretaries, lawn care, annual audits, and sound guys.
• A church that is perfectly fine with: Meeting in a home; having no structured meetings; having a small group of people; making it up as you go along; having one or two musical instruments; reading from the Bible; talking whenever you feel like it; having rabbit trails; praying randomly; worshiping God with all your heart; hearing teachings from non-elders; keeping your kids with you; sitting on the floor; being filled with the Holy Spirit; singing whatever you want; learning from more mature Christians; building relationships; dancing; giving prophetic words when prompted by God; asking questions; getting involved; hearing from God; and finally, growing and maturing as an adult Christian, constantly moving forward in His will for you.

I’d like to close with something I’ve wanted to say for a long time. I MISS THE CHURCH. I miss meeting and being a part of you. I miss fellowship and relationships with you on a weekly basis. But I cannot meet on Sundays, supposedly for God, and deal with everything else instead. So I’m searching. I’m seeking God, and hopefully I will find a body of believers who earnestly long for the fellowship I do. This is not a hateful statement, or a judgment. Only a personal belief and leading.

Some Bible verses for your perusal. Read the chapters for context.

Church Growth___
Acts 9:31
Acts 11:26

House Church Meetings___
Romans 16:5
Philemon 1:2

Church Division___
1 Cor 11:16-18
1 Cor 11:22

Church Strengthening___
1 Cor 14:5-12

Church Purpose___
Eph 3:10
Col 1:18

May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you forever.

Amen.