I was reading a book that included the question, "How do I find a good church?" The author then went into about four pages of how to identify what he calls a "healthy well-balanced church." Amidst the answers he was giving was the following quote:
"We know we have discovered a good church if God is worshiped in Spirit and in truth through prayer, praise and the proclamation of the Word; if the oneness we share in Christ is tangibly manifested through community, confession and contribution; and if the church is equipping its members as witnesses who can communicate what they believe, why they believe, and Who they believe..."
Now, on the surface I don't have much disagreement with what has been said here. However, what church would not claim to fit all of the above-mentioned attributes? No church is going to say they don't pray, praise and proclaim. No church will deny they encourage attendees to get involved in some form or another. And, again, I doubt any church will say they aren't equipping the membership to be a witness and communicate what they believe. But, there is a fundamental error in this way of thinking. That error is that the first thing a believer must understand is not to be occupied with finding a church, but recognizing that they are the Church. The church is not a place we go, but it is who we are in Christ.
The Bible tells us that Christ's "purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility (Ephesians 2:15-16)." The Church is not an organization to belong to or a building to congregate in. The Church is individual Jews and Gentiles who have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Understanding this fundamental truth, to a great extent, diminishes the desire to have to ask how to find a church. There is a long standing tradition in the Christian community that says you have to go to church if you are Christian. This is not biblical in my opinion. The book of Hebrews says, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25)." This verse is often used as irrefutable proof that Christians are commanded to go to church. However, going to church and fellowship are two different things. I, for one, know that as a believer you have a desire to be around fellow Christians to encourage and be encouraged. But, while belonging to a local church may be the norm it is not the fulfillment of scripture.
A few years after I was saved I left a church that would have described itself as a "healthy well-balanced" church. When I attended we prayed, praised and proclaimed. I was involved in various community outreaches and church groups. One might say I was doing my Christian duty. The only problem is that as I grew in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, I soon realized that this church was not anywhere close to proclaiming truth. And that is what gets me about the opening quote I referred to. Without a level of maturity and the discernment from the Holy Spirit you can pretty much judge a churches worth by the fervor in which they meet all these supposed standards. But, that doesn't mean all they do is in accordance with truth and a natural byproduct of Christ living through them. After I left this church I was without a church "home" for many years. But, it was in that time that I grew the most in my relationship with God. Why? Because I had the Holy Spirit who was leading me into all truth.
Realizing that I am a part of the Church because of my faith in Jesus Christ I soon learned that I don't need to be a part of a local gathering of saints in order to fulfill those things identified as attributes of a healthy well-balanced church. I fulfill those things every day in my walk with the Lord. I pray to God everyday in that I "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present [my] requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)." Nearly thirteen years in the Lord learning to trust Him more with my life is evidence that I am aware that I "have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in [my] body (1 Corinthians 6:20)." This public blog is a great way to "proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:28)." I am able to be a witness and can communicate what I believe with the world. My point is not to discourage anyone from finding a group of like-minded believers to fellowship with on a consistent basis. I attend a weekly fellowship myself as well as belong to an Internet fellowship of people who do not have the traditional church home. My point is to encourage the individual believer not to focus on where they park their bodies once or twice a week, but to focus on their own personal relationship with the Lord so that they can be used by God on a daily basis. When the time comes the church home will materialize. If it doesn't, be encouraged that you are still part of the Body.
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