Church.
What is it? It means different things to different people. For some it brings up feelings of growth and community and for others they were hurt by the church and can't get away fast enough.
How can something have such power to be so polarizing? How can it give so many different experiences? How can people come away from it with such different attitudes?
A lifetime of answering would be required to get through all these questions.
Is church, the building, the point of Christianity? Or is the essence, the key to Christianity, God and the gift He's given us? The church (building) with a lowercase "c" and the Church (all who believe in His gift and all He is) with an uppercase "C" are meant to be a safe atmosphere where all can be supported, be sharpened, equip and be equipped to serve, spread the Gospel together and be serenaded closer to Him. True Church feels like a supernatural experience. A piece of heaven down here on earth.
Does true Church only happen in a church building? I think it can be dangerous to think so. True Church happens more than 1 day a week. Church happens when 2 or 3 gather. Church happens when God is worshipped, prayed to, and studied. When people don't hide behind "I'm good" but instead are vulnerable and open with their brokenness. Church is a safe place full of hope and healing for the hurting, the sick, the brokenhearted. Everyone and anyone belongs. These things can happen outside a church building.
I am not the first or the last to have these same thoughts. How can I teach my kids to value going to church but also be mindful of looking for true Christ followers and not assuming that everyone in the building is living like God's promises are true? How can I teach them to know a Christ follower when they see one and also love everyone equally? How can I guide them and instruct them in wanting the desire to guide everyone, even themselves, to Jesus' feet and knowing Who can help them get there? How can I teach them the value of accepting people where they are in their faith journey while also wanting more for them like Jesus does?
What do I NOT want to teach them? I don't want to teach them that they need to hide their true selves. I don't want to teach them that they need to be like everyone else. I don't want to teach them that they can't learn anything from others or that others are too strange and different and unworthy to be around. I don't want to teach them that outside of the church building is the only place where the stuck and hurting people are. I don't want to teach them that they have to earn love by doing the "right" things. I don't want to teach them that human leadership is perfect. I don't want them to have a warped view of what the Gospel is.
Only with God's help can I teach them true, good, and beautiful things. Only through God's power.
What can I do? I can ask my kids questions.
I can guide conversation to see the good in everyone we encounter and explain that anything good comes from God. How can we learn more about God through who we meet?
I can discuss with them what Christianity means. How did you spot God working in your life today?
I can let them hear me ask everyone I get together with what their favorite thing about Jesus is. We can discuss their own answers again and again.
We're called to treat people the same whether they are in a church building or not. God says to love our neighbor (anyone who is not us) with action. Who do you need to show more love to?
We can worship, pray, and study separately and together. Silently and out loud. What did you learn about God, about people, and about yourself in your time with God? What did God tell you or teach you?
They can witness me answer truthfully when someone asks how I am. It's not always rainbows and roses for me and it won't be for them either. They can witness me seeking help when I need it and hopefully follow the lead when they're older.
I can teach them it's ok to be open minded about what church looks like as long as obeying Jesus is the focus. I can teach them that God doesn't only live in a church building. Where can you meet God?
I can surround them with loving, on-fire-for-Jesus Christians and pray for God to put these people in our lives. Who do you see acting like Jesus acted?
We can talk about life as a journey full of ups and downs for everybody and everybody needs somebody to be there with them during the turbulence and the smooth sailing. God most of all. How can we point others to Him?
Lord,
Help me understand more fully the bride which is Your Church and how it's made up of many different kinds of people with different struggles and different ways of seeing You and worshipping You. Give us courage to share our struggles with each other and handle them the way You’ve told us to. May we obey You. When others’ sin affects us, may Your grace and forgiveness be what others see. Give me wisdom on how to teach my children how to desire to be obedient to your commands above all else. Give me eyes to see You in everyone I meet and how to be Your Church within a church building and outside of this community You've given us. May we not grow weary in striving to be the children You meant us to be. Thank You for loving us.
Amen.