To "church" or not to "church" that is the question.

This last Sunday I encountered a gentleman who had some great points and it had me thinking and chewing on what he said as I too, have felt this same way. In our conversation, I asked him how service was (I missed it being in the children's ministry). He replied "It was good, but I dont really do church." There have been many times I have heard this phrase and it's a pretty wide open statement of what that usually means. When I asked him what does that mean, his reply was "Do you really want to know?" I thought this was a great question! Alot of times people can make a statement about Jesus, church, christians, etc and some may be ready to defend the gospel or let him know the "truth" or correct his feelings or start shooting the scripture machine gun, not even getting a chance to truly understand his heart and reason behind it.

As he opened up, he shared how the church has become institutionalized and how every church has the same program, the same flow and no matter where you go, it's the same thing, you know what to expect and its the same thing over and over again. He did share he would not speak against the church but it's not really his thing.

When I asked him "If you could do church, what would that look like?" His reply was "I wouldn't do church." When I said "Well what about the encouragement of others and being with the church as the word tells us to?" He said "That's everyday, that should be everyday!"

I shared I agreed with his heart and understood his feelings.

Maybe you have had this same conversation with someone whether you were me speaking or the gentlemen who is tired of systematic church.

I have had some time to process this convo and wanted to share some of my thoughts!

I remember there was a time in my life when I was so frustrated with church, the programs, that repetition, especially the politics (Jesus take me now), the unauthentic-ness, the same sermons etc etc. I remember wondering why other people weren't fed up with this nonsense. The valuable thing about frustration is it can drive you to dig deeper and find out why? What have you put in my heart Lord that can't seem to understand these structures and why am I so frustrated. There was a longing in my heart for more, a longing in my heart for radical transformation, on fire christians, unawkward community, people who kept it real about their life. Please don't quote me a scripture, instead tell me how you had to lock your toddler in a room to keep yourself from losing it, then I would love to hear the scripture you used or the prayer to get through that because sister, I have been there too! Please tell me how you got through!

Holy Spirit so kindly showed me that there is nothing wrong with His church, that there is something He has put in me, that He is leading me in, that He is burning in me. In every church that I have attended, there ARE people who are encouraged, there ARE people who God has put in those places as pillars and fires to fan the flame, mission, and vision of that work! There ARE people being saved, healed, and restored! So who am I to tell God how to run His church and the work He's doing in that particular church?

One of my favorite sayings I believe the Lord has given me is "I don't need to have a say so, I need to be more prayerful." Rather than having a say so about the church, my opinion, my thoughts of what it should be or desires, I need to be more prayerful about how I can be effective in what the Lord has put in my heart. Have I encouraged anyone? Have I met with people through the week to pray and be "on fire" for Jesus. Have I fasted? Have I prayed for the pastor or people who are frustrated as like me? Have I sought God about what this looks like for me? Have I been the "church"?

My husband and I did start to pray and we came to some truths and got rid of some ideas.

The fact of the matter is our culture does church. Church is on Sunday usually between 8-1 all around the United States. For those who have wanted to break this mold and come out of the box, maybe have chose a Saturday or Friday night. Some have created home groups or fellowships, whatever name is put on it. People know what church is, what to expect somewhat, and when it is. I have come to the understanding that this is actually a great thing for any person looking for God, there is a consistent place they know where to go if they are searching and possibly don't know where to look or go. Can we switch it up? Of course we can but would it hinder it or enhance it what God is desiring? That is the question we want to ask? What are the most effective ways to create opportunity for people to encounter and know Jesus. I think getting rid of culture's church would not be helpful! I personally think because of the culture we are in and the freedom to worship together with how many other people we want undignified with no restraints, we should definitely do so! Other believers in other countries persecuted or not have church as well, there is something extremely special about the body coming together to lift up the name of Jesus in one place in unity with wide open hearts! It is beautiful and life changing!

To the gentleman's point to do "church" everyday, I've also come to some truth in that - if I personally wanted to maintain my health and the health and rest for my family, there is no way I could meet with the "church" (a small or big gathering everyday or even a person everyday that does not live with me). Between work, maintaining healthy relationships within my own family, school, house duties, and any other responsibilities that come everyday, I am extremely thankful for the set apart time of "church". It is two undivided hours of attention that I solely get to focus on Jesus, be encouraged, see a lot of God's beautiful people who are in this with me, and grow all at the same time! Do we do church through the week, yes! Hopefully we all do! This looks like having time set apart for God, praying, praying for others, calling a friend to encourage them, having dinner with friends and talking about the Lord, feeding a family, praying and worshipping with your family, groups, etc etc. Whether we are in a building on Sunday or in a home on Monday, we are His church and we should church everyday but don't let our own ideas withdraw us from something that God has given that is a blessing to our lives.

The first thing to do is ask God what He wants you to do!

If you have been frustrated with the church, well praise the Lord. There is nothing wrong with that! But what are you doing with your frustrations? Is it driving you to answers or is it driving you to isolation and puffed up pride always having a say so? It's okay to want more but what are you doing in your wanting more? How are you fulfilling that burn inside of you? It's easy to talk about the burn more than it is to do something about it. I seriously understand and totally get it, but you are vital in God's church and the body needs you, yes on Sundays, and yes on Mondays and any other day of the week where the Spirit leads you.

This may not be the experience of what you have experienced as church and as my brother said, "I don't do church." I wouldn't do church either. Sometimes we actually are not experiencing church - genuine love, forgiveness, acceptance, transparency, encouraging words, truth being shared, etc etc. We are just gathering for what point? Our focus should be Jesus and all of who He is, serving our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and reaching those who are far from Him. Don't be discouraged by petty stuff, find out what God is leading you to, what He's put in your heart to do and start walking in that direction.