Church Doesn’t Work. I know that might be surprising to hear me say (given the fact that I pastor one), but I’m convinced that church, in-and-of-itself, doesn’t work (you can define “work” however you would like). ”Joining” a church, “becoming a member” of a church, “identifying“ with a church, “attending” a church, or “committing” to a church (you can pick your favorite language and terminology) hasn’t done much to change anybody. And yet, you see the attempt all the time. A couple’s marriage is in trouble and they find they are headed down a path of “irreconcilable differences” so they decide to ”find a church.” Or mom and dad have recently been shaken from slumber as they learned their teenage son is doing drugs and into some “bad stuff.” Their response – ”we need to go to church.” While a high percentage of people have an erroding trust and confidence in “organized religion” and “church” you would be surprised at how many people still turn to “church” as a place where maybe things can ”get fixed.”
Unfortunately, I have to say, a commitment to church in-and-of-itself doesn’t fix much of anything. And quite honestly, if it is an unhealthy church (and there are a lot of the out there) – things get worse. More disappointment, more time expended elsewhere, more guilt (we did mention it was a church right?), etc.
So, let me give this bit of advice (from a guy who loves and serves within the church)…don’t commit to the church (at least not in-and-of-itself). It won’t get you very far. My admonition is to commit to JESUS. He’s the one that actually makes things work! If the marriage is in trouble, the church can’t save it…but Jesus can. If your teenage son is going down a dark and terrible path, just “bringing him to church” won’t rescue him … but Jesus can. Committing to church but not to Jesus usually ends up with some weird legalistic trip of religiosity (and people around you like you less).
The purpose of the church is to be a community (with all of its struggles and problems) in which Jesus can be found. The invitation is not to come to our church to check out how great the church is…the invitation is to our Jesus. Invite to church, not for church, but for Jesus. So an invitaition to church should be an invitation in reality to meet Jesus. Church is sort of like a dating service (I know…I wince as I use the analogy myself) that hosts the event in which you meet Jesus. It is the place that Jesus promises to show up (unless the church isn’t interested in him coming because his presence might take the focus off themselves…Jesus usually honors such disinvites!) In the end, no one commits to e-harmony.com. They commit to the person they met through e-harmony.com.
Leaders of churches need to be cautioned (ESPECIALLY MYSELF) that in our conversations with people that we don’t so promote how good the church is that we neglect to mention that it IS NOTHING IN COMPARISON to our Jesus. And if you hear church leaders go on and on about their church and all the things they are “doing” and how “wonderful it is” and “how much you would like it” and how “friendly it is,” and how quickly it is “growing,” and “how there’s a program designed just for you“…blah, blah, blah…but don’t hear “you can find Jesus here” keep looking.
Committing to Jesus will mean committing to church (more on this in a post to come). But committing to a church does not necessarily mean that one has committed to Jesus. If that be the case…you’ll find church just doesn’t work.
I’m starting to get pretty excited and pumped up about the up and coming Avalanche Ranch Vacation Bible School. Postcards are in. They are SWEET!! They got labeled last night in a terrific labeling/grilling party. We will invite the children in 6800 homes around the church to this year’s VBS (a record for us!). The t-shirts have also been ordered. They are also SWEET!! Everyone at the VBS will get a t-shirt (including workers – so I would highly encourage everyone to participate in this year’s VBS – how awkward would that be not to have a cool t-shirt like everyone else [peer pressure, peer pressure, peer pressure].
STOP WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING!!!
Did some serious sermon preparation this afternoon by taking the family to see Evan Almighty!! I loved it. Steve Carell is one of the funniest actors out there. Great storyline and adaptation of the biblical Noah story. We’ll dive more into the message this coming Sunday. If you get a chance to make it to the movies before Sunday – I’d recommend it.
I’m glad to be home, but I had a most excellent time last week. Kelly and I spent the first half of the week together (just by ourselves…right on…) in the Chicagoland area and then we spent the last half of the week with our three kids hanging out at the water parks of Wisconsin Dells. The best of both vacation worlds…time with my wife; time with my children!! The highlights for me are:
To my loyal blog readers…I bid you farewell…at least for a week.
To show my unwavering commitment to the 
construction of my grave. Here are a few photos of his work. I think it looks really good and right in the front yard!
the two banners (which has served us well over the past year) with something that looks permanent (as a opposed to fly by night church plant that might make it…might not).
