Do you attend church, or are you the church?

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Have you ever had anyone ask you, “Where do you attend church?”

I suppose it would be an appropriate question if the church were a place—which it is not!

We have come to recognize the church as an establishment, but it did not begin that way.

By definition, it means to be called out.

“The Greek word ekklesia, literally “called out” or “called forth” and commonly used to indicate a group of individuals called to gather for some function…”

For example, we are called out of darkness into light.

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

I Peter 2:9 The New Living Translation

 

This isn’t to say the established institution we call “church” is wrong; it is not what the disciples envisioned at its inception.

 

My focus is on helping you understand how the New Testament church (as laid out by Jesus and carried out by the apostles) is supposed to work.

The eleventh chapter of the New Testament book of Acts says that Christ-followers were called Christians. This title was given to them because they committed to following Christ’s teachings.

The key is their commitment to follow the teachings of Christ.

Today, “Christian” has become a title more than a lifestyle. It is considered intolerant to address someone’s lifestyle because Jesus embraces everyone.

While it is true Jesus—God the Son, who created humanity—embraces all humanity, he teaches right and wrong, acceptable and unacceptable lifestyles.

In the New Testament book of John, he addresses a woman whose lifestyle was prostitution, and he did not condemn her, but to go and no longer sin.

Any established institution that does not follow this simple teaching of Jesus is on shaky ground.

However, organizations that operate this way are called Christian churches.

Therefore, I have chosen the phrase Christ-follower over Christian.

Let me be clear: This is not a rant about established institutions but rather a push for a close personal relationship with God—as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

When I wrote about this seven years ago, a debate raged about simple churches and established institutions.

Here is an excerpt of what I wrote.

“The thing that I have noticed in what has become another debate is if home/house church, simple church, organic church, missional church—along with a few other labels—is a valid expression of church. Lines have been drawn that pit the traditional church against the simple church.

It is the apostle Paul who addresses the matter of how the gospel is presented.

“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.”

Philippians 1:18 New International Version

The apostle’s statement makes the same point as my own: if Jesus is being proclaimed, then what does it matter?

Of course, there are principles and precepts to be followed.

Of course, a system of authority needs to be in place.

Of course, the message must be Christ and him crucified; yea instead raised from the dead.

One thing that I can assure you is this. Heaven is not taking sides, rooting for one side over the other. You can take the structure of the traditional church, pare it down to fit a small group setting, and call it a house church.

You can take a simple church model and attempt to fit it into a larger traditional church setting—the sheer numbers will work against that—and call it simple church.

The structure—or lack thereof—is not the issue.

That being said, the focus of this post isn’t to enter the right/wrong debate about a simplified gathering of Christians. The focus is to highlight one key element missing from either side of the argument—the relationship.

Jesus modeled a close personal relationship with his Father, his disciples, and as many as came to him.”

 

Jesus used stories to teach the people and his followers.

The Bible says those intrigued by his stories would ask him about them.

Those were the ones that found themselves in a close personal relationship with the Lord.

I would hope you can see the parallel in this.

The large gathering—what I am calling the established institution—is a great place to hear the stories, while the small gathering—what is being called the simple church—is a great place to deepen a personal relationship.

 

Jesus modeled close personal relationships

 

A close personal relationship means moving beyond a surface friendship (Hi, how are you? I am fine. Have a good day).

It means going deeper by sincerely wanting to know how a person is.

It means going the extra mile by altering your schedule to be with that person.

It means allowing yourself to be vulnerable, allowing that person to know how you are.

Jesus modeled these things with those intrigued enough by his stories to ask him questions.

Nicodemus, a member of the religious council, the Sanhedrin, was one such person. You may not remember him in the Bible, but you will recognize one of the most well-known verses of the Bible that resulted in his conversation with Jesus.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him, will not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

Another close personal relationship Jesus modeled was with the Holy Spirit. The third person of the triune Godhead had not been released on the earth—because it was not yet his time—but Jesus modeled a close personal relationship with him.

This is true for two reasons.

The will of the Father was that his only begotten son would fulfill the obligations of the law, thereby completing the old covenant.

This is the first reason.

This completion then introduced the new covenant that allowed mankind unparalleled access to the Father.

This is the second reason.

Under the Old Covenant, the ministry of the Holy Spirit was well known. He would descend upon those the Father had chosen and deliver his message utilizing the Holy Spirit’s supernatural authority.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit was very well known.

The introduction of the New Covenant would introduce the person of the Holy Spirit as one who would abide within you, teaching you the ways of the Father.

Jesus modeled both roles of Old Covenant adherent and New Covenant believer.

This relationship had to develop with Jesus, the son of man, and the Holy Spirit just as it does with any Christ-follower today.

Jesus experienced the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the miracles he performed while experiencing the person of the Holy Spirit in his daily walk.

 

The third close personal relationship Jesus modeled was that with the Father.

They spent time together in the morning, after a meeting, and late at night, making important decisions. They were tight, just as we are to be with the Father.

 

The fourth close personal relationship Jesus had was with his disciples.

He developed a closer relationship with three of the twelve but grew close to each.

He spent a lot of time teaching, training, talking, laughing, crying and living life with.

 

You will find that from these relationships will take place everything that makes up what we call church—worship, teaching, training, leadership, discipleship, etc.

 

Attending church tends to be a religious, social gathering (which isn’t bad), but being the church is about relationships (which is what being a Christ-follower is about).

A close personal relationship with the Godhead provides you a living hope. It is a living anticipation full of expectation of something good happening.

A close personal relationship with the Godhead is a journey. I invite you to follow along. As I learn, I will pass it along so you, too, can learn. I hope that as you learn, you can pass it along so that I (and others) might learn.