By Mark Gumm
I often hear a phrase that goes something like this “Church is not a building – its a body of believers”. While I certainly believe most pastors and Christians believe this theologically, I often wonder if we REALLY believe this at our core, or if its just a cliche’ we use.
Would we choose to go to church if it wasn’t comfortable and convenient? If we had to walk several miles to get there and there was no praise band playing our favorite christian music, no video screens, no air conditioning, no comfortable seats?
Would we show up to these churches walking through and standing in several inches of water in the middle of a field, with no chairs to sit in and listen to our pastor preach and sing praises to God with just our voices for 2+ hours?
The people of these churches in Ethiopia REALLY believe that the church is not about a building… I have the mud covering my shoes and pants, and the memory of hugs and tears of joy to prove it:)
Let us continue to strive to be a faithful church that displays good deeds and is dependent on God to provide as we use our resources to help meet the needs of those who are really in need like the early church did. Let us not be a lukewarm church that is rich and not in need of a thing.
Revelation 3:14-22
14“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
To read more about Mark, click here to visit his blog.