“Church” as we know it in the West (a building with pastors and a sermon, etc.) is not the best missional tool.
For some reason, we keep coming back to the conclusion that many people like Jesus, but not the church. The “church” to people on the outside is political, hypocritical and full of hate. And I completely agree with them. I do not hate the church, but I really dislike it. If this is how Christians are portrayed in the world then missions will be met with hard hearts.
This leads me to the radical conclusion that "church" as an institution should be abandoned. Why do we have it? Why is it necessary? We need fellowship, to DISCIPLE each other. In many institutional churches this does not happen. The pastor speaks on Sunday and by Monday I have forgotten what was said. I gain no community, no knowledge, and no tools to help me love the hurting and the broken.
I think Christianity needs to head back to its roots. We need to abandon our church buildings and move to our homes. We need house churches. I believe that once we step away from institutionalization then Christianity becomes 1) more approachable and 2) more authentic. House churches provide a setting for people to be become DISCIPLED, which I think is the most important thing, not only for missional work, but also for one’s Christian faith in general. House churches are interactive. They are challenging. They are conversation. They are spiritual growth.
My Young Life Team Leader always tells us in leader meetings “iron sharpens iron”. I believe this biblical statement wholeheartedly (Proverbs 27:17). If we as a church body are continually sharpening the way we act in accordance to our faith, then we could be a movement that people would want to be a part of. It’s no longer attractive, because of gimmicks and events, but it is attractive, because it is authentic love, hope, dedication and peace, that people in our generation long for. This is what we can learn from each other in house churches.
Emily M.
