What is church anyway?


I've been really struggling for the past year about what church should look like. I've read all sorts of books and have gotten fired up by great conversations with people about it.... and I've come to this point of frustration. Mostly because I have the vision of what I think it should be, but I'm not sure our American Culture allows it to happen. Church in the traditional sense has gotten very mundane to me. I don't get much out of liturgy or reading prayers. Although, I do think spiritual practices are important- but maybe I'm not in the right mindset. I've been apart of a house church for over a year. We focus on social justice issues, living simply, and community. We have an alternative church service where dialogue and discussion is welcome. We sit at a table. But we can't have great dialogue and discussion if there isn't community built among us! We spent a year building community with people who have since moved away or became too busy- and now we are cycling through a new group of people where community has not been built yet... I think mostly because we are tired. Investing in community building seems to wipe me out.
But the fact of the matter is... I have community all around me. I have community in my house. I have it at work. I have it with various friends around. So do I need an actual 'church?' This is my argument... Church is actually "where two or one come gathered in My Name." Well, in that case.. I am often part of church. I am part of church every Tuesday when I serve at clothing closet for the homeless. I am part of church almost daily when I sit on the couch and talk about life with my roommates. I am part of church almost weekly when I hang out with friends at a pub and talk about life. However, I am hungry to be challenged spiritually.. and I'm not sure how that plays a role in all this. Do I simply read more books and listen to sermons online? Or do I need to be a part of an actual church organized body? I guess I just wish our culture (and our human condition) wouldn't get in the way, and that church would happen much more organically! But instead we are busy people... with lots and lots of different community we are invested in already... What do we do with it?

Comments

Levi said…
You're not alone in your convictions. Meeting every sunday to go through the motions is not what I believe Christ had in mind when he used the word "church." Church, in my opinion, is a lot more fluid - just like any real relationship - and one cannot accurately describe it by naming people nor naming some geographic point on a map. Church, like the word "God," is a verb and a noun. And I think that until we are desperate enough to truly need Christ in others, we will never find church. But as you say, Church happens everyday...we just need eyes to see it.

Thanks for your post.
February 12, 2010 at 9:58 PM
Kristin said…
Thanks for the comment, Levi! I like the idea of church being 'fluid.' I hope the wedding planning is going well.. it's almost here!!
February 26, 2010 at 12:08 PM
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