The way we describe something is important. A description shapes our thinking, reveals our expectations. If something is described as being “tight as a drum” we immediately form certain images and anticipate certain results from whatever is being described.
Descriptions of the Church are important. They convey expectations. Descriptions also indicate the goals and priorities people work toward to fulfill those expectations.
Mark D. Roberts of the Foundation for Laity Renewal offered five common descriptions (outlined below) of the Church in a recent essay. Each can be seen in most local congregations. Each description conveys a truth but one must ask if any of the five descriptions expresses an adequate description of the Church.
A church is like a store.
There are different kinds of stores and so different kinds of churches. One church may be a “Purpose Driven Church.” Another may be a liturgical church. Another might concentrate on the sacraments while still another is charismatic.
Churches come in different sizes. Large membership churches might be like big box outlets. Smaller membership churches might be more like a neighborhood mini-mart. The big box might offer a wide range of programs and services. The mini-mart may be limited to basics. Both market their services in ways that emphasize their respective strengths hoping to attract “customers.” If one is satisfied by a particular outlet, one will likely continue to frequent the establishment.
The store model might work well for the narcissistic who thinks everything is about him or her but church is not supposed to be about “me and mine.” A church is supposed to be a fellowship. It is supposed to be a place where people are committed to one another as well as to Christ, the head of the Church. The dual commitments to Christ and to His Church move one beyond individual consumerism to life-giving community.
A church is like a hospital.
When we are physically sick, we go to the hospital. When we are spiritually sick or face life’s challenges we turn to the Church.
Hospitals offer specialized services for particular aliments and so do churches — marriage preparation, parents-to-be classes, grief support ministry, recovery groups, age-related activities. Hospitals and churches both offer people with specialized training to help cope with the situation and care for the suffering.
Jesus cared for the physically sick and the sin sick. But comparing a church to a hospital has some shortcomings. A hospital is a place. A church reaches far beyond the boundaries of its property. A hospital is staffed by medically trained personnel. A church reaches to wherever its members compassionately touch the hurting in Jesus’ name. One leaves a hospital when one’s problem has been resolved. Even though a particular crisis may pass, one is never “healthy” enough to walk away from the Church.
A church is like a school.
Like schools, churches offer classes for various age groups. Churches provide curriculums and teach participants everything from doctrine to history to archaeology to foreign languages to ethics.
Like school, people are urged to memorize. And just as parents expect schools to teach children basic skills, parents often bring the children to church to ensure they receive basic moral training.
Teaching is a vital part of the church’s ministry. Teaching is listed in Romans 12:7 as 1 of 6 ministry gifts. The Great Commission urges Jesus’ followers to “teach all I have commanded you” as they go into all the world.
Teaching is important so one will not be blown off course “by every wind of doctrine.” But the purpose of teaching is more than learning facts and skills. The purpose of teaching in the church is to transform lives into the image of Jesus. That means people are called out of themselves into a life-changing relationship with God and with God’s people — the Church.
A church is like a concert.
At a concert, people file into an auditorium to be entertained or stimulated by those on stage. Positive emotions can overflow. One may clap or sing along or dance to the music. But the stimulus comes from what happens on stage. When the event is over one leaves feeling satisfied and looking forward to the next performance.
Churches can be guilty of being like a concert when what happens on stage is most important, when emotional expression is the primary emphasis. Cultivating love, joy, peace and hope through worship is a good thing.
But worship is not about what happens on the platform. Christian philosopher and theologian Soren Kierkegaard used the analogy of the theater to describe the worship experience. He explained that God is the audience in worship, those in the congregation are the performers. The pastor, musicians and others on stage are prompters helping the congregation offer the gift of worship to God.
There is a difference between a concert and worship.
A church is like a club.
Clubs have members and so do churches. Clubs have regular meetings like churches. Club leadership goes to members just like in churches. Both clubs and churches do service projects and offer social gatherings. Oftentimes one’s friends are drawn from within the membership of a club or a church. Either can become the center of one’s activities.
There are some not-so-flattering similarities too. Church membership can produce a feeling of entitlement just as in a club. One can expect certain privileges and services because one is a member. Churches and clubs can both be “closed” to “outsiders.”
Yet a church is focused on “outsiders.” Its purpose is to reach people with the Good News of life through faith in Jesus Christ. That is why the ministries of the church are open to nonmembers and members alike. Being part of the body of Christ is to share and to serve.
A church is like ___________. You fill in the blank. Just remember a church is about a life transformed by the gospel lived out in a community of faith empowered by worship of God to a lifetime of service to others.
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