The church is not a building or a denomination. Actually, the church consists of all believers in Jesus Christ as noted in the definition above. But, another question we might ask is “how should the church operate”? What style is best? What would be the best church for me for personal growth? In the video below by Julie Roys, she and Lance Ford challenge some of the major assumptions held by many Christians about the QUALITY of the church. Her video could change your life. It’s long but very worthwhile.
Some challenges and considerations are listed below. Think about your relationship to your current church or think about how much you may need church if you are not currently attending.
1. Small groups or house churches are just as important as large church assemblies. You need both.
2. Participation by church members in service is necessary for spiritual health. “Observation only” is harmful to the person not serving and to those who are denied service. In other words we need the entire church body to be actively involved not just the leaders.
3. The Sunday stage should not be the sole focus of the church. What happens outside the church is even more important or just as important as what happens inside the church.
4. Churches should not be personality driven. They need to be Christ driven and Bible centered.
5. Top heavy leadership structure can discourage spiritual gifts existent in every believer. Clergy and laity are both needed.
6. If just as many people are going out the back door as coming in the front door, that is a problem. Why are they leaving?
7. Salvation comes through faith in Christ not through faith in the church.
8. Celebrity leaders are not necessarily spiritual leaders.
9. Highly structured services or rigid liturgy can kill the “messiness” of God’s spontaneous move by the Holy Spirit.
10. Is success measured by numbers and dollars or by the quality of discipleship?
We need to understand the will of God regarding church. The ideal model for the church can be found in the Book of Acts not in human wisdom. If the church has failed you or you are not growing in your church, you may need to change churches but do not quit attending church. I exhort you to listen to this video and think about how God may want us to rethink church.
