Do We Need Another “Church”?

Do we need more churches?

This question has been with me throughout my life. Some days, it percolates in the background, while others it blares to me before my morning coffee. Driving considerably for my job, I cruise by many steeples. Many of them within walking distance from each other. Many within a stones throw. I would assume that your commute would reveal similar experiences if you are in America. It appears that we have reached near saturation stateside. Perhaps, like they say, Church has “jumped the shark”.

How can there be so many buildings representing so many people in this land, while we still struggle with poverty, racism, and division with little hope of resolution? There is a large disconnect between the building, and the institution. The truth is, those who start new churches often do so because of frustration with a previous institution – one they felt restricted and not empowered by. Yet, there are also many who would rather do the work of building something from scratch, than to swim against the stream of tradition and institutional arrogance. It is easier to open a door than it is to repeatedly head butt said door.

I have often felt like the believers are in this world without a earthly shepherd. Our Jesus is undoubtedly to be our heavenly shepherd, of course, yet who do we look to for wisdom in the flesh? Not that we shall ever put the burden of such things on the shoulders of one earthly person, yet it would help to have one clear voice to unite us. Our Catholic friends have the Pope. This brings both clarity and frustration I am sure. But who is this generation’s voice? Who should we listen to?

As long as we are under the same heaven, earth shall be fractured. This is true for everything, including the people of God. Yet, we are still called to be peace makers wherever we go. This should be especially true within our own walls. What a great and peculiar example it would be to this bleak world if the Church could learn how to bridge the gap between its pews. Maybe the reason the larger Church is lacking in influence is because on matters of reconciliation, it cannot reach past its own front yard. It has been my experience that Church leaders love to over spiritualize, wrapping their criticism in the appropriate level of “God speak”. The world sees through this, and wants nothing to do with it. I don’t blame them. Seeing things from the inside firsthand has led me towards sympathy and greater understanding on why many simply choose not to attend.

It is important here to remember for who the Christ-follower is called. We are undoubtedly called first and foremost to our Creator. For Christ we are accountable to and none else. This is our identity and motivation towards others who share in our God-bearing image. We are not called towards institutions or bylaws. These are man made and incredibly flawed.

So what then of the Church?

Somewhere we have mistaken Christian fellowship with a building. We mistake an hour on Sundays as being “Church”, but it is not. This often plays itself out as mere Christian entertainment. This is also why it ends before the 1pm kick-off. We would never wish one institution to trample a greater, much more sacred of institution . . . sport. When we look at Church as being relegated to a singular time slot or even a group of people, we miss the richness and simplicity of what God calls us to in the first place . . . rest. This seems to be in short supply at many institutional Churches. Volunteers show up early and stay late. They record, edit, perform, and lead in beautiful humility. This is needed, noble, and commendable, but it is no rest at all. It is missing in simplicity. Unknowingly, we have created an institution that is solely reliant on our effort. It is so engrained in us that we fear when it is approached upon, criticized, or found to be in deficit. We long for growth and numbers because it only further validates our effort. And so we hold tightly, afraid to rest in the beautiful expression of redemption we are called to.

Today, have Church where you are. Find it in your coffee, in the simple, and in the shared talk between those around you. God is there.

Rest.