What is the purpose of the church/community? What makes a good community? And if you are not in a good community how much of a duty do we as Christians have to stay in that community and help change it? Well, I guess, first of all, the question is, Is the church even needed? I remember talking to a friend who had been involved with Navigators and other college ministries, whose church experience growing up was one of boredom and monotony and politics. He had a real heart for evangelism, and didn’t see the church as the answer. He said I spend 90% of my time with non-Christians and 10% with my small group. When I told him that church was necessary and important, he looked at me like I was crazy.
I was talking to another person who for a period of time didn’t go to church but just listened to sermons on his Ipod and hang out with his Christian friends.
I was talking to another friend who went to a large mega church and while he loved the preaching and worship, even though they had been going for six years, they had no friendships in that church.
A decade or so ago, we are not really having this conversation. There was no online sermons, no large mega churches, no books that teach the church is irrelevant and unnecessary. It seems we are in the middle of a major shift that doesn’t seem like will unshift any time soon.
So, the question is appropriate. Is the church necessary? How do I do community? What is God’s desire and intention with all of this?
The first thing we need to establish is, is it necessary?
Ephesians 1:18-23
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Paul is praying for the Ephesians and he prays that the eyes of their heart would be enlightened to know HOPE, INHERITANCE and POWER. But, he goes off on a tangent on power by illustrating it in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His ascension to the right hand of God, above all authority, powers and everything in this age and in the age to come. Everything is put under his feet. And God did one more thing, He gave him as head over the church which is His body. If Christ is the King, and his domain is the church, and this rule continues on forever, we have to believe that the church is still relevant and necessary today.
Ephesians 5:25
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
It couldn’t be more clear. Christ loved the church. Christ gave himself up for the church. Do you think the church is important?
Colossians 1:16-18
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Chris is the above all things and then specifically, he is head of the body, THE CHURCH!
Jesus established his intent and it started with Peter.
Matt 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Not only does Christ love and die for the church, Christ is also the builder of the church. Hell will not win. We can’t forget that Jesus is the builder and it is His Church.
Church is not only important, it is necessary.
But, what about small groups? What about house churches? What about family church? Why the church?
Or, the better question is what is it about a church that makes it the kind of church that Christ is the head over?
The early church set the pattern for all churches:
Acts 2:42-47: 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
So, what does Jesus want for his church?
And, I see seven things a church needs to be:
1. Worshipping God through song and through the teaching of the word faithfully (teaching)
2. Authority of elders to convict, correct, lead and appoint. (apostles)
3. Communion (breaking bread in church)
4. A place of prayer (prayer)
5. A place of using supernatural gifts (Spiritual Gifts)
6. Caring for the poor (selling and giving)
7. Fellowship with Believers (breaking bread in the homes)
8. A place where people become Christians. (Lord added to their numbers)
Let’s look at a few verses to see if what started in Acts 2 actually continued:
Here are some more verses:
1. Worshipping God through song and through the teaching of the word faithfully (teaching)
Acts 20:26-30
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Paul spoke the whole counsel of God and encouraged others to guard the flock with sound teaching. Teaching is definitely a key part
2. Elders and accountability
Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Matt 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
The church is a place of accountability. When people sin, they are to be disciplined. The church helps us be holy.
Elder are given for leadership and vision. They lead the church with fasting and prayer and they are the vehicle for which the Holy Spirit guides the church
3. Communion – breaking bread together
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
4. A place of prayer
Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 6:6
6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Acts 8:15
15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
Acts 8:22
22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
Acts 12:12
12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Acts 13:3
3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 16:25: About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
Acts 20:36: And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
Acts 21:5: When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed
Praying was a huge part of their lives…
5. Spiritual Gifts
Romans 1:11-12: 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
There are other verses, like Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 which talk about using your gift to build up the body. Church is a place to serve and be served.
6. Caring for the poor
Acts 4:32-37: 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Money was truly God’s and the church used it to help so that no one was needy.
7. Fellowship with believers
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
A fellowship based on holiness and Spirit-producing love.
8. A place where you become Christians
Acts 16:5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
The goal is for a church to grow in number, to be a conduit for many coming to faith in Christ by both building up believers to share their faiths as well as having communities that demonstrate Christ-centered living.
So, in essence you see the pattern of the first church was exactly what the churches patterned themselves after.
It just seems so simple and it makes sense. Why has something that should be so good turn out so bad? Why does it seem like Hell is prevailing? Where are we missing the boat?
Well, I really think if you take one of these factors out, your church will miss out.
No good worship or teaching? God isn’t God.
No real fellowship? No one grows and enjoy the sweetness of Christian relationships.
No elders and accountability? No accountability, no vision and no church discipline.
And so on.
The biggest problem with churches is that they have sinners in them and sinners tend to make a mess of things. It seems so simple and yet our pride, our worldliness and our selfishness tends to make a ruin of what should be the most holy.
So, Church is important and here are some things you should look for in a church.
As far as community goes, what makes good community?
In a general, a community that functions within a church setting will have some of the above characteristics of a church. Obviously there will be no elders, but a small group is for fellowship, sharing meals, serving each other with our gifts and helping the poor. What makes a great community? I would say if you are in the word, praying together, eating and serving the poor in some ways together, you will have a great group. The problem is that sometimes we just Bible study ourselves to death. Bible study is great, but you know enough to change the world. Instead of being inward, go outward and do it together. Pick a place of ministry and do it together. If you look at the next verse, what are we to stir one another to do? LOVE and GOOD WORKS.
Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
It isn’t but it should be the center of all our communities. Loving people and doing good works out of the Hope that comes from the Word of God and the future hope that we have in Heaven. The Word should lead us to works. It is not either or but both and.
If you are not in a good community, you need to be in one. If your main sense of community is not good community, don’t leave it necessarily. That could be a place where you encourage and challenge others to walk with Jesus. But you go find people that can encourage you and pull you forward. This might not be in the place where you might think. I heard a great sermon from Mark Driscoll about finding community in the people he most respected, professors, fathers and others. Good community might not even be with people you really like. The book Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is an amazing book of how true community should look and the challenges and joys that come with it and yet it isn’t dreamy and wonderful like we sometimes falsely think it should be. We in America really suck at community. I can say that after being in Africa and seeing true community built out of necessity financially and a culture that values interdependency. I would really encourage you to really ask God to give you community that will help shape you to be like His Son. This is a prayer God will always answer I believe God will honor your prayers of being in good community if you pray for it and are willing to accept the people God has for you.
A couple of more random things and there are so many things that could be said right now.
But, here are a couple:
Go to church to give. Give worship to God. Give encouragement to people. Give prayer for your pastor. Give. Give. Give. Who can I encourage? Who can I pray with? Who can I love on? Blessed are the ones who give and the ones who give are usually the ones who receive. Don’t go to critique, criticize, or judge.
Serve somehow. If you are not serving somehow, you are missing out. Service is essential and serving is for your benefit. Help somewhere. Children’s ministry, janitorial, worship. Somewhere. Church is not a spectator sport.
Tithe. You must tithe. Even if your 10% is only 10 dollars a month. Give something. The first fruits of what you get. And give to the church, first.
Look for humble, honest, faithful leaders. This can go a long way in forming a healthy church.
There are no perfect churches. I learned this the hard way in Zambia because having never not worked at a church; I had to find a church. And wow, what a long, painful process that was. When we came back, we decided to just settle in and go with a church. It is not perfect. But, here are no perfect churches. We desire to give and not just receive. The best you can do is have a list like that one above and ask questions of the church, how are they doing in these areas?
