Organism and Organization

I read an interesting article this morning about the Church. We've seen and heard a lot in recent years about how people are more interested in Jesus and less interested in the Church. This article brings us all back to the point that Christianity is not what Jesus intended without the Church.

The author interviewed Ted Kluck, a lay member of the University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI and Ted's pastor. One might surmise that this opinion is held by more traditional churches. "The more contemporary emergent and non-denominational churches don't hold that belief," one may say.

I would disagree.

I think more and more Christian leaders (contemporary and traditional) are pointing out the essential role that the Church plays in our relationship with Christ. One simply can't be in stride with Jesus Christ and not with the Church. The two are intimately intertwined.

"Organized religion has too many problems!"

"The Church is full of hypocrisy!"

"There's too much judgment inside the Church!"

"It's so hard finding the right church."

Yes, I would agree with all of those statements. They still don't excuse us from participating in the Body of Christ, ministering to a local group of believers using the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us.

The author of the article describes the Church as an organism and an organization. It's living, changing and growing. We, as believers, help the Church maintain its fluidity. It also has a foundation and structure to it which is the Word of God.

Giving up the Church because it's not perfect is hypocritical in itself. No one's perfect - including you and me! So, why would anyone expect the Church to be perfect? It's never going to be, but God's Word still calls us to be connected with one another in a local church - and by connection, I don't mean just at Christmas and Easter. It essentially all boils down to a matter of obedience. Are we going to do what God wants us to do or are we going to walk in rebellion and still expect God's blessings?