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​Church Isn’t a Place

Over the course of the past several months, as we have been talking a lot about our budget, our income, our expenses, our facilities, our need to raise money, et cetera, I have also been thinking much about what it means to be “the church.” Do you remember the popular rhyme: Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the door and see all the people? Growing up, I remember learning that in religious education class, and we used to say it with such joy. Over the years, I have grown to dislike this rhyme, though.

The reason I have grown to dislike it is that, to me, it makes it sound like the church is what happens inside our buildings. It makes it seem to me like the church is exclusive, and if you can get in the building then you are in. But that’s not the church Jesus created. The term “church” literally means “the gathering of the faithful.” The term itself was never meant to mean a building; the term is a verb, which means it is active. When we say the word “church,” we are literally talking about people, specifically, people who gather in the name of Jesus.

So as I have been reflecting on what it means to be the church, I have been thinking that what is really important is how we treat each other, and I, of course, am not just talking about how we treat other Salem members. The church Jesus created was meant to be a community of faith-filled people that cared for and loved all of God’s creation, not just those who were just like us. In fact, as he walked among us, Jesus modeled what the church ought to be like. He intentionally met with people who did not think like him, believe like him, or act like him. He would eat with them, talk with them and get to know them. He would pray for them, and he would even heal them. This is what it means to be the church, a faith community that cares for and loves the world.

“Church” is not about buildings - it isn’t about worship services - it isn’t even about our faith practices. Being the church is about caring for and bringing healing into a broken world. To do that takes all of us, and it takes us sharing God’s love in such a way that others want to join us. When we do that, then God’s church grows and we are truly living out Jesus’ great commission: Go and make disciples of all nations.

As we journey through this Season of Lent, I pray that each of us might find the courage to share our faith with someone else. I pray we might find a way to offer a little of ourselves to someone in need so that they might see Christ in us. I pray that each of us might have the courage to change our ways so that others might come to see that the church is not a building, it isn’t an exclusive club, but it is a people who love God and love God’s creation.

Shalom, Pr. Dave

Tags: Weekly Word