Why do churches seem so stale, even though there are plenty of activities and programs for the people to get involved in? Even in churches where the people seem to get along well and show loving, family-like qualities? Perhaps these two qualities deserve individual emphasis. But my pastor was preaching yesterday on the church's obligation to society. And it got me thinking.
First, one must understand the difference between "a church" and "the Church." "A church" is a unit that provides a place for fellowship and learning. This could or could not be a place where the true Gospel preached. "The Church" is the individual (singularly) or group of individuals (universally) that is/are born again into the family of God and walks or does not walk according to the statutes and passion of Christ. "A church" is the place that puts on programs. "The Church" is the person who has a relationship with Christ and is the spring within which the Gospel resides, and from which the Gospel pours out.
My point in writing this is not to bash churches world-wide. There are many churches that are vibrant and growing (spiritually and numerically). However there are many other churches that, dispite their many organized ministry opportunities, are falling apart. Why? I believe a reason for this (among potentially many) is that these churches neglect to make a practical distinction between "a church" and "the church." What would a "practical distinction" look like? When a distinction is missing, perhaps that pastor/congregation neglects to disciple the individuals, and relies on the programs to cultivate their walk in the Spirit. So, as a result, there are a lot of people working, but few people growing spiritually. So then the work that they are doing lacks the true passion, compassion, commitment, and/or concern of Christ. There may be a commitment to a work, but the commitment to the Word is minimal at best.
Churches ought to treat programs as additions to or avenues of evangelism and discipleship, rather than the sole means of them. What is important is that the people become like Christ...at the root of their very being. Not just act right and get involved in good things. God would have mercy without sacrifice. Perhaps this means that certain programs should be done away with in order for an atmosphere to develope that refocuses the people on Christ. God's desire is that we change within. And what happens in the churches should not be in order to build churches, but rather build up the Church...the body of Christ. And this begins within the people of the local churches. Where there is a program, there should be accompanied personal discipleship and accountability to the end that relationships with Christ are built up and fortified, and that the Glory of God through His Gospel is emphasized. It's easy to forget the goal in the midst of the work. A program is only as good as its people, and the people are only as good as their relationship with Christ.