"Church"

This weekend at church we talked about just what a "church" is. Sometimes even when I hear the word "church" I cringe.

However, God wants it to be clear that a "church" is not a building. It is not an address, it doesn't even really get defined as any type of shelter at all.


"Church" is about the people.


This was major news to me. I had absolutely no idea.


Historical background:
-Jesus ministers for about 3 1/2 years. He does miracles, he teaches and he serves.

-Jesus goes to Jerusalem, and before he is crucified, he rallied up his disciples.


Ya know what?

That was about 120 people, in a old building in Jerusalem.

and what did he tell these 120 people of his "church?"

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age," Matthew 28:19-20.

Do you know what the absolutely AMAZING part is? These 120 people did exactly as Jesus told them. Ya know how I know?


Here I am, thousands and thousands of years later, across the world, praising the same exact God.


I get intimidated when I talk to the 89 year old NEIGHBOR about where I go to church, and she can barely even hear (even when she is wearing her hearing aids). These 120 disciples had to go to Samaria for goodness sakes! (As Pastor Grant told us, that would be like Jesus telling us to go to Tacoma and spread his love, and the kicker? Actually going :)


They did it. Look where 120 people got us today. It was a movement. God wants us to know that church isn't about getting your coffee, shaking hands with the usher, sitting next to your third grade teachers daughter and watching the fog machine behind the worship band.

I even sometimes finding myself rolling my eyes when I hear about a church that only has two services on Sunday morning. Psshh. What kind of "church" is that? They can't even have more than TWO Sunday morning services! Church began as a movement. And ya know what movements do? THEY MOVE :)


I just can't stop thinking about that. Am I moving? Or am I perfectly content to sit in my chair at church on Sunday, sing the worship songs and pray at night before I go to bed and ask somewhat rudely, "so where do you go to church?" when something mentions being a Christian.


Is that moving? Is that "going" like Jesus commands us to do?
Nope. I need to listen to Jesus and do exactly what those 120 disciples did.

Pastor Grant challenged us to see if Christianity could be as simple as loving God and loving others. It's easy for me to practice the loving God part, but the loving others? Sigh. That requires me to get up and move.

Are you up for it?
I'm sure glad those 120 disciples were.

Just imagine what we could do if we all just starting going. :)


Are you "moving?" :)