Church ? What is it actually ?

When we say the word church most people get this kind of image in their mindset. An old fashioned antiquated, or quant building.  They are beautiful structures, and yes they are churches, but in reality the church is in fact, the gathering of people in these buildings. 

I have just finished at our Easter celebration weekend at our church, and it was amazing.

5 services at our site over the weekend, (that I was involved in), there were 3 other worship services, on site as well in other languages, as well as kids church…..as well as online church, ....... and I am a bit weary….however, can I say that it was just simply the most amazing, life giving and inspiring weekend ever. 

Thousands of people attended our church on Good Friday and Easter Saturday/Sunday… 30 people were baptized, one of them a very good friend…a stack of first time decisions for Jesus….cars everywhere in the carpark….people everywhere.

For me, that's what I have always thought church should be like. People flocking to worship Jesus.

I just love it.  I have always loved it when the church is full to overflowing. 

Our worship teams and production teams did an outstanding  job of presenting Jesus and reminding people that church….the gathering of people in any facility, is all about Jesus.

Our Pastors… leading people closer to Jesus..  Our preachers speaking with genuine integrity and truth and clarity around what it is all about. 

Whether it is a modern building or a traditional structure, it is still all about the gathering of Gods people to worship Him. Regardless of worship style, songs chosen, clothing that is worn, or religious practices.

For me,  I have seen a fair bit of different types of church.  Very small church gatherings, very large  and mega size gatherings.

I have been in traditional settings, modern settings and small group style church gatherings.  

They are all church and their primary purpose is to worship  Jesus and to help people to get to know Him in every and any way possible.

Over the years I have seen many people get all of this muddled up. Critical of style of traditions or various theological differences.  It is so disappointing when  people make a fuss over the issues that don't actually matter in the long run.

What matters most for me, at least, - is that Jesus is the number 1 focus and that the church in fact helps people to grow closer to HIM.

A few more comments around Easter especially.

Many people just don't believe in Jesus.. and that is their right.... however, it amazes me though, that a tradition in our society is to only eat white meat (fish) on Good Friday, yet I ask why ? 

If you don't believe in the foundations of Christian faith, why practice those traditions at all ? And so what happens in society is criticism of the church, but practice and celebration of the Christians traditions anyway.  Its kind of a paradox. I mean why even celebrate Easter and Christmas if you don't actually believe in those events and what they actually stand for. ????

The other things I find mystifying, is when the church is critical of the church. Also when the church is envious or jealous or threatened by other churches. It's dumb.

If its a tiny small church, that is living out their faith as best as they can, gathering to worship GOD...or if it is a mega church with thousands gathering to do the same, why would we be critical of each other ?

At the very core of our faith is the common truth that we each believe that one day Jesus Christ will return and His church ( the people, not the buildings) will together unite in heaven, no matter whether it is Anglican, Salvo, Pentecostal, Baptist, Church of Christ, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic,  or any other style of Christian tradition.

The bottom line is .... making sure it is about Jesus, in our gatherings and in our private living. That who we say we are in public, is who we actually are in private.   ( this is a challenge for us all..)

That we are not in fact trying to compete with one another, or compare ourselves to each other, but rather doing our bit where we are placed, and making it real and relevant in every way we can, to those still seeking truth about Jesus Christ.

Not forcing Christianity or the bible down another persons throat, but living in such a way as people might in fact want, what we have.  Peace. Grace. Mercy living, love, compassion and integrity.

The next time you might be tempted to be envious, jealous, critical or even feeling a need to justify something about your particular church tradition, stop and think it through....we are all in this together with a hope and purpose to lift Jesus Christ and His message of forgiveness of sin and hope for a place in heaven to everyone who doesn't yet know about it.

So...what is the big deal ?

The deep theology can be complicated, and the church sometimes uses jargon that is weird, and very hard to actually understand... but the message is not... the story is very simple.

Each of us, everyone of us actually, are separated from God because of the wrong things in our lives. Jesus was given as a sacrifice for those wrong things, a bridge if you like, so that if we were to believe in Him and trust Him with our lives, we would not be separated any longer from God.

Christians are just people who have decided that Jesus is for real, and they have put their trust in Him and decided to follow HIM.

That is it, in a nutshell.

It is true that some churchy people are a bit hard to handle and can be seen as a freaks... (hopefully I am not one of them) but overall... we see it as freaky when we don't fully understand it all.

So... if you are curious. if you want to know why you only eat fish on Good Friday, and what those hot cross buns are really all about, and what actually happens in a church on a Sunday... if you are slightly interested, then send me a message and we can have a coffee and a chat  or an online conversation if that's easier, and I can help you to get a few answers to your questions.

You can do that by leaving a comment on this blog.... and I will get back to you (if you leave your contact details)

And if you already attend a church ?  why not celebrate your church and start letting people know about it and inviting a few along  to hopefully meet with Jesus alongside you.

all I ask of anyone... and all churches...is keep it about Jesus.

Church ? Christianity ?  ITSALLABOUTJESUS.  

always has been and always will be !!!