The Flock

So, you are asked if you want to join a church…

What does that mean?

For many over the last 200-300 years, it has meant the same thing. Joining a church was either transferring existing membership from one church to another because both churches were Lutheran, or Presbyterian, or Methodist, or Catholic.

If you were transferring across denominational lines, say a Presbyterian to a Lutheran, for example, there would be some required instruction to become a Lutheran.

That was then, this is now.

Many are asking why do we even have Presbyterians and Lutherans, and all the others?

Or an even bolder question, if I’m a Christian already, why do I have to become a member of a local church at all? Why can’t we just attend? My religion is private anyway.

What does the Bible say?

Though there is no distinct command like “Thou shalt go to church on Sunday”, there are many passages that leave no doubt that the unattached Christian floating in space is not the best. Jesus speaks of sheep, plural and a flock. He speaks of a gathering, and the Apostolic authors in the Bible speak of a body with many members, functioning as one. They also speak of geographic localities called churches. And Christ gave individual shepherds or pastors to these bodies or groups for their guidance.

Don’t stop reading yet!!! I have a hopeful word for some of you. Everyone needs a break. With the buildings, budgets and board meetings, church can be exhausting. It can be painful. Some of the worst hurts we experience can be from the behind the doors of the church. Jesus said, “Come apart and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31) See also Matthew 11:28. Take time to heal. But don’t disappear entirely.

Another objection is all the conflict and denominations, and church splits? This truly is sad. But even in families, conflict and divorce happens, you don’t avoid the family afterward because of these sad things. God can and does use people in His mercy after divorce and conflict, He does the church also. It doesn’t make it right, or desirable but God is a God of second chances.

So, original question: Do you want to join a church?

Why? My life is busy enough.

In return for all your time, you’ll get a casserole at your funeral if you do.

I think most people have an understanding of what the universal church is. It’s in the Apostle’s creed after all—you know, the part that says “...holy Catholic church” or in our church, holy “Christian” church to avoid confusion. Its the church of Matthew 16:18, where Jesus says, “...I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

When the disciples were told to “Go and make disciples...of all nations” in what’s called the great commission, it meant what it says, literally going near and far and not just preaching, but “making the sale” so to speak. What happens with all these new disciples? Do they just vanish into thin air?

Is God’s kingdom of the Church on earth, just a disorganized jumble of random people all over the globe who have a personal relationship to Christ and worship at their convenience?

Lets talk about the casserole. Yes you do get a casserole, several in fact...Think with me; this is really something...

The church buries its own with Christian burial tradition and practice. After, there is a time of fellowship with others of the same faith. Its a community.

You get a Christian pastor called by God, to lead the whole affair, who hopefully has had the chance to perform the solemn Christian worship service. Along with the pastor, other Christian’s gifted in this and everything in between from the birth and baptism of your children, ongoing ministry of the Word in Sunday worship, and the moral and godly transcendent education of the entire family.

Where else in this world does that exist? Some want their privacy, I understand that. You have that right. But more and more people today in our communities are avoiding the church, because of the hassles, of making casseroles and serving them for others—as well as listening to long sermons, getting up early on Sundays, thinking “I can love my neighbor on my own terms”.

We need to read Romans 14:1-13. Verses 7,8 say, “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself...for whether we live or die, we are the Lords.”

The church is indeed decreed by Christ to be a local entity, with local leadership and organization, each one connected to the universal church governed by the Word and Spirit of God. Jesus returns the lost sheep to the larger flock, the ninety-nine, where they are fed and pastured as a group as well as personally.

What does the local church provide that the Universal Church cannot?

• Ongoing visible scheduled corporate worship,

• Service, fellowship and friendships and mission.

• Office of the Word and Sacrament

• Christ’s gifts of the office Prophet/Evangelist/Pastor-Teacher

• Setting for Christian Marriage/Holy Matrimony and the family

• Education, and the preservation of the Faith and right doctrine

• Administration of these offices, discipline and doctrine

Multiple churches on each corner, is not the ideal. No one is defending the unpleasant experiences and yes, conflict that has occurred. But that is the “real” or reality of all of life. Should it exist in the church? No. Even in marriage, we don’t strive to just survive the “real”, but rather for the ideals of love and nurture.

In spite of the problems all around, join me in striving for the ideal, and enjoy a casserole. In all seriousness, God’s people and fellowship doesn’t really add to your plate, but it does help you manage what is already there. Do you want to join our church?

That’s my two cents

Pastor Tom ###