When Christ, following his resurrection, talked to the disciples he seemed to cram information into the hours he appeared to them. Only in incidents like the walk to Emmaus or the breakfast of fish did there appear easy fellowship and measured but serious conversation about important personal matters. Listeners had to be attentive. Everything had special meaning. Jesus made promises, in matters that would heighten expectations. He promised them that he would return at some future date, that in the interim, he would give them a Comforter who would fully relate to him and to them. He promised them his Church. The promise is so much more than most people appear to believe it was and is. Even many Christians appear to miss its importance. The Church (upper case C) is first of all spiritual so is present in every Christian, but it is also institutional, so every Christian ought to belong to a church (lower case c) order that includes other Christians. The church will not be perfect as we learn from the references to the seven churches in the Revelation, or as we gain the insight of the Apostle Paul related to churches he founded. If there is no Church/church fellowship in a community, a missionary Christian ought to organize one. The meaning includes the: nature of the Church and servanthood; study of Scripture; worship of the Lord; invitation to all for spiritual/immortal life choices; and, life of righteousness offered to God and society. All this cultivates improved growth and meaning.
During my lifetime there have been a number of efforts by Christians to orient believers to organizations that do Christian service, but do not take on the affairs of congregations that include theological advancement, business, structures, and accouterments of faith within its culture. These parachurch projects sometimes fail, or do not become what they were meant to become at their conception, unless they find ways to relate to the visible church. These groups usually do important work, and they often turn to the church for funding, prayer support, and personnel needs. At the same time some are critical of the church for lagging in some way, but the parachurch ministry lacks something that gives permanence either as a Christian ministry or in its identity as a Christian force unless it gains church support. The major loss in some of these groups is Christian identity. This observation can be followed in such groups as the YMCA, the YWCA, Scouting, and the list continues all the way along to prestigious educational institutions. Christians ought to be committed to centers of worship and service that are functional, beautiful, well ordered, biblically governed in values, and attractive in those ways that draw as many persons as they can to the objectives of the gospel mission of Jesus Christ, and places for church and general charity.
What kind of church does God want us to have? What expectations are to be met? What clergy and staff are needed to carry the mission? What are future concerns? The answers to these questions and others will demand change, mostly change in us so to work closely with others of like faith, and sometimes with those with no faith, in carrying through the Great Commission of Christ to take the Gospel to the whole world. Evasion of this privilege and duty is not an option, if we take Christ’s word seriously. The purpose of Christian ministry is to identify in meaning with the redemptive person of Jesus. The Church is a lighthouse projecting benefit to anyone on the horizon. The purpose of the church is to serve as the mate of Christ: in representing the family of God by the message of Christ’s redemption and hope; in service to human needs of all persons; in pointing to the advantages of righteousness for individuals and society; in dedication to truth both natural and spiritual; and, in advancing the context of life in love and peace. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020