What the stink is a church supposed to be like anyway?

I figured a title like that would get your attention. Seriously though, have you ever given thought to whether or not your church actually falls under the definition of what God would consider a church? There are so many churches, one on every street corner (right next to all the Waffle Houses in the south!). Is anyone actually getting it right? Who's closer than others? What about your church? Do you like it because the music is good and your friends go there and it's close to your favorite restaurant so you can stop there on the way home? Or is it something much deeper?

Acts 2:42-47 paints a decent picture. Wait a minute! You mean there are no multi-media slide shows? No national television ministries? No 20,000 square foot addition with retractible dome? Nope. Just a group of people united by a common purpose - to live out the teachings of the One who died, for themselves and for the world around them.

What did they do?

1. DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO TEACHING AND FELLOWSHIP (v. 42). First, they'd have a seven-course meal on the Word. You think your pastor is good? How about Peter? Then, they hung out together. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Makes for a pretty sterile church, too. Is your church too religious to have fun? Check out some of my early pieces on living from the true heart. God is in the Super Bowl party.
2. SIGNS AND WONDERS ARE TAKING PLACE (v. 43). Look, I'm not into gold fillings and bleating like sheep or doing doses of "carpet time". But if the Holy Spirit does not somehow regularly attend your service, isn't your church pretty much just a country club?
3. UNITY (v. 44-45). Red and yellow, black and white, Jew and Gentile, slave and free, short and tall, fat and skinny. In Jesus, we are one just like the Three are One.
4. COMMITTMENT TO EACH OTHER (v.45). No, I'm not preaching socialism. But bearing one another's burdens is mandatory. When I was out of work a few years ago, dear friends of ours gave us $300. Just because. If you have needs and no one is meeting them, it's easy to say they're all selfish. But what if no one knows? If you're not connected to the body, your needs will go unmet. And it's not necessarily the body's fault!
5. COMMITTMENT TO THE VISION (V. 46). "Day by day...". All people need to walk in step with the vision all the time. When the vision gets cloudy, the church runs off course. The Methodist church is a great example of this. Their logo is the cross with a flame around it. Nowadays, most Methodist churches' wood is so wet it'll never ignite. Liberal doctrines, man's ideals, and CRASH! down comes the denomination. Leaders must challenge their people to continue to walk in God's ways and stay true to the founding of what the church is in the community for. And if your church really doesn't have a full-fledged purpose, or it's failing badly to meet it, it's time to start asking some serious questions.
6. SUPERNATURAL GROWTH. It's no coincidence that Luke repeats the phrase "day by day" in the last verse. If people see authentic Christianity displayed, they'll flock to it. No slick marketing campaigns, glossy ads or radio programs. Churches are built in the trenches, life by life, soul by soul.

Ephesians 4:11-16 also shows the church at its best. Our main duty? To equip the saints for the work of the ministry. You know that whole "10% do 90% of the work" thing? Ain't no equippin' happnin' there! Every joint and ligament in its place, doing its job. Churches need to strike a healthy balance between "the chosen few" who can lead, and the so-called "works mentality" that prevails in many bodies. It's not easy. Nothing worthwhile is.

As we grow to be more like Jesus, our needs change for churches. When you're younger, it might be cool to go to the "hip" church in town. But for someone like me, who is growing in their faith to a new dimension and with three young souls in tow, my view of what's important is changing. I recently had a pastor look into my seven year old's face and encourage her to go to the mission field. Equipping the saints. Never let go of the main thing.

Does your church encourage you this way? I challenge you...take a long, hard look at what your church offers you and your community. If it doesn't bring life, walk away. No matter how committed you are to the programs going on. Your devotion to Jesus goes way beyond a program. Your life is worth more than getting burnt out by serving where you're not fed.

Time's a wastin', campers. Let's give the local church our full attention. Call it to be so much more than it is. What's He saying to you?