Sunday, May 27, 2012

Church, The Great Misnomer

Reading through Matthew 23 and applying it today, I have been able to relate on a different level to those words of Jesus.  The question I receive most when encountering other Christians for the first time is, "Where do you go to church?"  I have to reply with a sort of rhetorical question, "What do you mean?"
Of course I know exactly what they mean!  They want to know what religious institution I attend so that they might be able to understand my Christian point of view.  But I have come to understand the word "church" as a misnomer when it comes to Christianity.  Asking me what church I go to is like asking me what family I go to.  That doesn't make sense.  Knowing now that the Christian church is a living organism and not a building created by the hands of men leads to me to ask that question.  You wouldn't ask me what family I attend would you?  Of course not!  You might ask me when do I get to visit with family and I would reply with, "As often as possible."  The same applies to church.  The appropriate question might be, "When or where do you meet with the church or the family of believers?"  I would reply with something like this, "Whenever and wherever possible!" 
My husband and I had the privilege of attend the "Riverdance Farewell Tour" recently.  While sitting in the huge crowd I had to relate it to the term "church" as it is used today.  I'm quite certain there were probably many believers in the building whom were doing the same as we were.  Sitting in our purchased seats, casually chatting with those around us, and waiting for the big show.  There was no depth to our "fellowship" nor did we care to ever see one another again.  We got what we paid for and left.  Very much like the so-called church of today!  The actual church Jesus spoke of was a family! 
Most institutional Christians have the following verse drilled into their heads: "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."  Hebrews 10:25.  What does this mean?  I see nothing about a building, a pastor, a priest, a choir, an offering plate or anything that resembles the assembling today.  Can you imagine how many Christians there actually were at the time of this writing?  Christians were often persecuted at the time and still quite sparse.  I can imagine that it was extremely important to meet together to encourage one another and to be with others of the same heart and mind.  I'm sure they sought every opportunity to meet up, hang out, eat, find comfort, discuss and love each other, just as family does today.  I believe it was personal and joyful.  Sometimes it was like a family reunion and other times more like a Saturday evening hangout. 
Church as we know it today is indeed a misnomer.  What is a misnomer?  Here is a Webster's definition:  a wrong or unsuitable name.  What could we appropriately call the religious institution known as Church today?  I don't really know but it doesn't appear to be from the One who created The Church in the beginning.  I'm overjoyed to be a member of His Church but not the one that is known today.

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