Surprised to learn that not all Christians feel connected to the church. Even those who love Jesus, don't always love the church. Church is a fellowship of the flawed, a community that serves His purpose in the world. Church helps us to grow our relationship with Christ. The biblical command is to gather and worship at church. So why are many so disconnected from the establishment? For some they may not have found the proper community or pastor, or even denomination. For others they may have had bad experiences with a pastor who lead less like Jesus and more as a domineering shepherd. Let's look back to the beginning of the church to see its importance in our spiritual lives.
In the Old Testament God instructed Moses to build a dwelling of God for his people. This was in the form of a tabernacle then a temple. It was a God ordained space for teachings, worship, and festivals. The tabernacle and temple were the spiritual center of Israel. The church as we think of it today did not came into existence after the Day of Pentecost- after Jesus died and had risen. In the Matthew 16:18- “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Jesus gave the church His mission statement calling for the church to create disciples, baptizing them and teaching them the Word of Christ. The New Testament refers to the church as the Body of Christ. A representation of Christ on earth.
The Book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles) details the story of the church from its inception on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Acts illuminates the triumphs, joys, persecution, and sorrows faced by the early church. At the end of the Gospels the Apostles are frightened and weakened. But the in the early chapters of Acts the apostles receive the power of the Holy Spirit, and go forth in their mission with renewed strength.
Ephesians 4:1-7
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."
God has designed the church to be the place where the spiritual gifts given to us by Holy Spirit are to be discovered and nurtured. Members of the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” as detailed in Acts 2:42. This was essential to developing the Body of Christ. Paul refers to the church as the "household of God." Other references include the church as a family, a building, and of course as a metaphor for the Body of Christ.
The Bible has always celebrated community. Godly living is seen as learning and growing together as God's people, as a community. For the last 2,000 years church has been the physical meeting space for this community. The church is a place of diversity where people from all walks of life gather to promote spiritual growth.
Nothing is safe from corruption or those who would lead with their own agenda. There are churches which are bad examples of the Body of Christ. But that is not to say that every church is burdened by such issues. Seeking the right denomination, community, and Pastor is an important and vital part of finding the right church. There is a space for you out there, you just have to find it.
Humans are flawed and even the church is a community of flawed people. We all have our imperfections and sins. But these things are made better by the growth encouraged by a church community.