I learned that “The church is a body of believers...”.
I assumed that meant people— not a building.
The building was special, and set apart for a specific use, but God didn’t live there, nor was He confined there.
Since he was everywhere and all powerful, AND everything belonged to Him, he didn’t need to be ushered into his own house by mere peons.
He was desired, wanted, and welcome, but by no means confined or controlled.
The honor was in Him wanting to be bothered with us.
Going to the building, however, was a joy, not a duty, or chore. “Service” was what took place after we left there.
So much has changed. Somewhere along the way, we flipped the script, relegated God to a bit player role, and stole the spotlight. We determine if he's pleased with our offerings based on the good time we had.
We’re in the midst of a global pandemic, and either the habit of church attendance is hard for some to break, or they’ve never grasped the omnipresence of God.
As I watched the news, I recalled being told by every one of my late father's doctors that, as his caregiver, my health mattered, too. I had to be healthy for him. He was the vulnerable one. His surroundings and everything he touched had to be clean—and that was when there was no pandemic. Why are religious leaders suggesting that people ignore the severity of the virus, and risk their own health?
We’ve been advised of the most efficient ways to stop the spread. Maybe it seems like overreacting, but what if it works?
So many are proving to be reckless and thoughtless; feverishly trying to keep something going that, in so many cases, has lost its focus, and ought to be shut down. Church is a hustle for some, and a family business for others.
The wise, who’ve been engaged in actual service all along, are happy to comply with Covid protocols.
Maybe the reason why mandatory closed doors are so infuriating, worrisome, and devastating, is that some people only know how to “DO church.”
The presence of people is needed to keep the entertainment machine going, the bling blinging, the mansions maintained, and the luxury vehicles rolling.
Some people don’t care if you show up as sick as a dog, as long as you bring that contaminated envelope. It’s not about praising God for some. It’s about sustaining their hustle.
If any body should have been saving for a rainy day, like these days, it’s the body of believers called the church. We should be a formidable resource; a tremendous help to the whole world right now. Instead, the light bill is overdue, the fancy pulpit furniture is about to be repo-ed, the roof is leaking, the books are being audited, the carpet needs cleaning, and the water is about to be shut off. Many have run God’s supposed house like they run their own— irresponsibly.
Many leaders act as if they’re God, as opposed to His representatives. Pandemic or not, the people have to show up. Those bills won’t pay themselves.
Leaders log on to Facebook and try to guilt people into ignoring warnings, and proving we’ve got no substance; nothing stored up to convert all of that church-going into genuine service.
If the building must close, have you no fire inside you? Have you not been reading? Should anything be a surprise? Wherever you are, is the church not there, too?
Maybe people have forsaken assembling because of the shenanigans going on during the assembly. Maybe they’re wondering why, with all of the folks with lofty titles, and all of the deep, anointed, new prophets and apostles we apparently have, nobody--not one single solitary person-- warned the congregation that a pandemic was coming.
Maybe people are tired of the floor show. Maybe they have sense enough to know the difference between praising God, and glorifying and sustaining the lifestyles of men. Maybe they see no authentic service, just empty rhetoric, nepotism, favoritism, competition, mediocrity, oppressive behavior and speech, mangled scripture, narcissistic expectations, and clownish fashion shows.
Because gatherings are prohibited, and the buildings are closed, due to the pandemic, in what other ways could the buildings be utilized that would be of service to the communities in which they’re located? Has there been outreach prior to the pandemic?
Does the community see your building as some exclusive club where they’re not welcome?
Are the doors locked Monday through Friday?
If the doors of your building were to be opened for the use of the community, would the community be shocked?
Does a moratorium on large gatherings render us collectively or individually paralyzed?
Is “doing church” all we’ve got in our Christian repertoire?
Are we frightened to actually rest?
Have we so confused attending with serving, that we are clueless about what good CAN be done today, tomorrow, and, God willing, the coming weeks and months?
Why are so many people offended and contrary; cherry-picking scripture, boasting how THEIR church is going to be open in spite of what governors say, as if it’s a contest to see who’s the greatest in the kingdom?
Can you not pray and worship right where you are? Do you mean that God only sees and hears you if you’re in THAT building?
Is your salvation going to be revoked if you comply with the social distancing guidelines?
Do you REALLY think God is handing out brownie points, or checking to see whose doors will be open for the weekly party, to which, in many cases, if Facebook videos are any indication, He’s not even the star of the show?
Miss me with the fake outrage, bullying, and legalistic manipulation.
Do you open your doors for the homeless when there’s NO pandemic?
Consolidate what you gleaned from every past gathering and finally put your Christianity to work! Go and ACTUALLY serve someone!
People still need to be clothed, fed, sheltered, and encouraged.
YOU are the church.
You ARE the church!
You don’t need an audience— or DO you?
You don’t need to broadcast what you’re doing to serve others.
Maybe that’s the problem. The overwhelming need to be SEEN.
By now, every church attender is fat with the Word. We could probably ALL preach a good sermon! Everybody has marching orders by now.
You ran laps, bucked, bumped, leapt, jumped, flipped, and shouted, so now, you’re super fit to actually DO something Christ-like outside of the sanctuary— perhaps even in your own home.
Imagine! Spending time taking care of the affairs of your OWN house with people who know who you REALLY are! Now THAT’S service!
Since you’re so pressed to get dressed and go out, AND be in a large group, why not go to a shelter? Take those clothes and shoes you don’t wear with you.
Go to a hospital. They’re swamped right now.
Go to a soup kitchen. You’ve got your mask and gloves, so get to serving!
I imagine there are some homeless people who would love to see you dropping off helpful items between 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM— the hours you’re usually on Facebook lamenting about how tired you are from having to be in 2-5 “services”.
The hypocrisy is exhausting.
Now it’s time to APPLY knowledge and demonstrate wisdom, not piously pout and insist on exercising an honorable, albeit social habit that could put your health AND the health of others at risk.
How about complying, so that when 'Rona has run her course, you’ll be ALIVE to assemble once again.
Hospitals need not be overwhelmed with hardheaded people who just had to go gather in a large group. Because of apathy, incompetence, ignorance, racism, greed, selfishness and fear, the US is off to a slow start combating this virus. People have been everywhere interacting with everyone. Never mind the testing kit fiasco.
Consider that, by gathering in large groups in confined spaces that are filled with porous and non-porous surfaces, with some people, to whom hand washing is apparently a new concept, you’re taking a risk you don’t have to.
There are those who are susceptible and vulnerable who will be at greater risk than you.
You may feel fine. The senior citizens who follow your lead may not.
'Rona incubates, and the time period varies depending on which expert you ask.
Since you want to prove you’re more faithful and invincible than everyone else, go--- and how about clean up the place while you’re there?
When was the last time the sidewalk and stairs were swept, the kitchen and bathrooms disinfected, the marquee and windows washed, the floors swept, the baptismal pool disinfected, the door handles and microphones sanitized, the walls painted, the robes laundered, the plants re-potted and watered, the pews polished, the offices organized, the bricks power washed, the dusty banners refreshed, the weeds whacked?
When are the broken things going to be fixed? Wanna go? Take some Clorox and Lysol with you and get to serving!
There is a global pandemic. A national emergency. This is no time for self-righteous competition.
The defiance and arrogance in the name of Jesus is troubling. Jesus wasn’t a fool. He made a lot of sense. His work is finished. Don’t poo poo on it, and poorly represent God by being an irresponsible jerk.
If you can’t go to church, BE the church.
Heed good advice, and be wise.
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