You Don’t Need To Be Present to Win

You Don’t Need To Be Present to Win.

Today, I saw the most ridiculous thing on Facebook. It was a quote that said “you can be a Christian and not go to church just as much as you can be married and never go home.”

Where do I begin?

This is a great argument put forth by a Churchist, someone who confuses church attendance with a relationship with Christ, who mistakes the institution for Christ’s presence.

When will we who are believers stop trying to gather “unchurched” people into our subculture on Sundays? When will we stop asking “are they in church” as if it were the most important existential question?

Let’s be clear. My home changes places. Sometimes (like now) I don’t have a home of my own. And yet, I am still married. My relationship to my wife is not determined by a particular dwelling place, or a room, or a town or a country. We are married and have a relationship regardless of place. In fact, if I am never “home,” I am still married in the eyes of God and the law.

Using the same metaphor, the Bible makes it clear that the bride of Christ is waiting on His return. He’s not even with us and yet we are still His bride. Using the same logic as the Facebook entry, He has forsaken us. He is the one who is absent in the relationship. What kind of husband is that? Jesus must be a deadbeat in the eyes of that pastor on Facebook.

Our relationship to the Ultimate goes well beyond that metaphor. That relationship with Christ is internal. Let’s face the fact that often times the outward expression we call “church” is a corporate reality that doesn’t resemble the Church that Jesus spoke about. His temple is in our hearts. His Kingdom is come within humanity. His Holy Spirit is given to all who believe. Being in a particular venue on a particular day of the week does not save us. Only Jesus can do that. In fact, often, His alleged people can drive us farther from the truth. However, His presence is mysteriously active in each individual who believes. And, His promise is to be with those who gather in twos and threes. Sunday or not. Church building or not. Worship service or not. Church growth to satisfy the egos of the attenders or not.

I was a pastor for many years. I understand the desire to grow a church. I also generally recommend people attend a church. However, often those who talk in church-growth terms are speaking out of pride (it makes us feel good to be a part of a growing church) and never actually do anything to reach anyone. When a church grows, we assume people are being reached for Christ. Do the research and see for yourself if that typically happens or not. Most growing churches are larger because the church people are gathering in greater numbers. And, if someone is converted, they are given as proof of God moving. I know of one church that points to its one convert in 10 years to show that the church is successful at reaching the lost.

Let’s face the truth. Church growth doesn’t equal Kingdom growth. Church attendance also doesn’t mean you are a believer. I have some dear friends who rarely attend a church service and yet are much more committed to the faith that the vast majority of church attenders. The Church’s expression is not limited to Sundays in a church building. A better expression of the Church happens as people do life together, love each other unconditionally and pray together while growing into the image of Jesus. That’s the Church.

Some will quote the scripture that says “do not forsake the assembly.” But what assembly are we talking about? In Paul’s day...Daily...In homes. Is that what Churchists do? Hardly. They attend on Sunday while the the rest of the week, they slander people including their pastor, live in such a way that their faith is compartmentalized, and try to justify their behavior because they are “only human.”

God save us from Churchists. Gatherings of people on Sunday mornings are not “the way, the truth, and the life.” So let’s stop condescending on those who have no use for the subculture of Churchism as expressed on Sundays.

I’m not trying to discourage church attendance. Let’s see it for what it is. It is not in itself a relationship with God. It can be a help in your spiritual journey, but it can also be a hinderance in many cases.

Attendance is not mandatory. Jesus lives within the hearts of those who believe. We don’t have to be present with the churchists on Sundays to win that Prize.