Who is building what?!

Upon This Rock - Part. 1

I believe that within modern Christianity we have a serious problem. Because of the emphasis being placed on "the church” rather than on Christ, there are many people who have been converted to the church or institution, to a worship style, a set of precepts or doctrines, to a theological system, a denomination or to a movement rather than to Jesus Christ. I was one of these for many years. Born and raised in 'the church' I was institutionalized, but not regenerate. I was safe from the “world” but not saved. I was the product of a Christian religious system but not of the new birth by the Holy Spirit.

As Tom Skinner used to say:

“The gospel is not about the church. It’s not about going to church or joining the church. The gospel is about Jesus Christ. The root of the word Christian is CHRIST. C H R I S T - IAN - Christ in you, living His life through you - without any help or assistance from you!”

To quote the late Keith Green,

“Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to Mc Donald’s makes you a hamburger.”

History reveals that the early followers of Jesus did not call themselves Christians. In actuality they often referred to themselves as "the Way". They wore no labels and were primarily called by their given names like, Bill, Sue, Corneleus, Nicodemas or of course, George. The term Christian was a label placed upon the early believers by the surrounding pagan culture of the first century. It was because of their identification with Jesus Christ, which bordered on obsession, that “they were called Christians first in Antioch”.

The prevailing culture always seeks to identify or vilify any new sociological phenomenon by giving it a label - so they labeled them "Christians". When you read how these early believers were persecuted and even martyred, it is obvious that the term “Christian” was a derogatory label placed upon them - much as we might identify followers of Sun Yung Moon as Moonies! I think it was said more with a sneer than with a smile!

Many of us are familiar with Peter's response to our Lord's question;

"Who do you say that I am?"

“You are the Christ the Son of the Living God!"

Our Lord’s response to Peter's statement of faith was;

“Blessed are you Simeon Bar Jonah for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father who is in heaven. And I say that you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church (ekklesia in Greek or 'called out ones') and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

The mistake we have made is that when we have read of our Lord's reference to "church" (ekklesia) we have placed the emphasis on the wrong thing! We have put the emphasis on “church” rather than where it belongs! It properly belongs on Christ!

Let’s look at this statement again. I will use bold and CAPS to signify where I believe we place emphasis and where it should be!

“And upon this rock I will BUILD my CHURCH”...

As opposed to “I will build MY church!"

I believe our Lord’s emphasis is on I and MY!

My church, My called out ones, My congregation as opposed to someone else's. My My My!

It is true that for almost all of us the word “church” (ekklesia in Greek) is a loaded word. It is pregnant with meaning and imagery. It is a word that immediately paints a cultural word picture. Be honest. When I say the word “Church” what do you see? Close your eyes. What did you see? Most people see a building. – a sacred space – a place set aside for the purpose of gathering to worship. When I hear it I think of a little rhyme I learned in Sunday school.

This is the church and this is the steeple

Open the doors and see all the people!

The ekklesia or church of Jesus Christ, is not just a gathering to worship or even a place of worship. The ekklesia of God is His family, the called out community of the redeemed to whom He "adds daily those who are being saved" (i.e. born again of the Spirit). Though the church or may gather, or congregate, it is not the act of gathering that makes it a church - no more than gathering or congregating around the dinner table in a home makes you a family!
It is an organic term that describes an organic or blood relationship - a people - a family!

It is a fact that within western Christendom there are many who are leaving or have left the institutional church. Despite the phenomenon of the mega-church, statistically, church attendance and membership in America and in the Western world are in serious decline! As George Barna points out, this current exodus from the institutional church cannot be attributed solely to rugged American individualism, or the "just me and Jesus" or 'Lone Ranger' mentality! This 'going out' is not just because people are disgruntled, desiring a less restrictive environment or because they are apostate. It is not because they are rebellious against authority or not willing to "be accountable". It is not because they are no longer desirous of "fellowship" - IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE!!

I believe that for many, this exodus from traditional 'church' structures is the result of a deep desire for something more! It is an expression of a desire to know Christ - not only individually but also within the context of community.

Although the perception of many is that people are “dropping out”, quitting God or “backsliding”, this is not necessarily the case. Leaving the institutional church for many is not running away FROM something but running TO something. For many "defectors" it is a breaking free from the religious performance trap. It represents a reaching out for a deeper and more intimate relationship with God and brothers and sisters in Christ.

The one word which I think sums it all up is INTIMACY. It is about the pursuit of intimate loving relationship for which there is no satisfying substitute.

My own personal exodus from organized religion has also made it possible for me to learn to function as something more than just a Sunday spectator. It has allowed me to grow in intimate fellowship with the Lord and with His people. I have grown into a discovery of my unique personhood in Christ. I have begun to mature and learn to be an instrument of His love to others. Instead of being a 'Christian consumer' I am becoming a giver, a builder and a channel of God’s grace and love to others. Instead of doing for Jesus, I am learning to focus on knowing and becoming like Jesus! Instead of being on the sidelines, sitting on the bench or pew, I have become an active participant! Instead of being a perpetual spiritual infant needing to be fed, I am growing up in the Lord, maturing and learning to feed myself and others. I must admit it has not been an easy road to travel. It has often been lonely, difficult and painful. But growing pains are a part of growing up! As my athletic daughter loves to say, "No pain no gain."

Institutional Christianity often refers to the need to reach 'the unchurched', as though integrating everyone into 'the church' or 'building the church' is God’s ultimate purpose. I do not find the concept of the churched or unchurched in the New Testament. The two groups I see are the saved or redeemed and the unsaved or lost. We desperately need to acknowledge that building the church is not the reason d'etre or end all and be all of Christianity.

The truth is: Jesus IS building His church, His ekklesia, His “called out” ones, His body!

The scriptures attest that what our Lord is building, He is building out of living stones! It is His Church, a spiritual house which He 'edifies' (builds up) to the praise of His glory. I don’t think He needs our help half as much as we think He does. God indeed has an eternal purpose. God's eternal purpose is the summing up of all things in Christ .

It is imperative we understand that Jesus did not come to create a new religious system to replace Judaism or Paganism.

God’s ultimate purpose has always been to have a people for Himself - children, offspring, sons and daughters – a family! God’s new creation is His body which is a living breathing expression of Himself - an extension of the life and order of heaven itself!

It is not an organization but an organism!

It is Christ in you (and I) that is the hope of glory.