I thought I'd post this piece of pastorally-edgy theological reflection by Peter Adam of Ridley Melbourne, because I've just had cause to use it again! twice! Peter doesn't blog, but if he did...
I first came across this as a little pamphlet in the back of St Jude's Carlton in the mid-90s, and its relevance has not faded since. Every now and then, I still hear someone declare that they don't really need to join a church, or that church the way it is today doesn't work for their faith. If that's you, or if you've come across that thinking before - read on!
Why you should belong to a church
Because you need the regular support and encouragement
of Christian fellowship.
The Christian life is not designed to be lived in
isolation, and those who try it that way are likely to crash! (see
Hebrews 10:25)
Because fellowship provided by Christian friends is no
substitute for belonging to a church.
You choose your friends because their ideas and style
are similar to your own, God puts different people in a congregation so they
can learn from each other. (see Titus 2:1-10)
Because gifts can only rightly be used by someone who
is a member of a congregation.
Gifts are primarily for the congregation, not for the
individual and are rightly used to build up the church. The picture of a
church as a body tells us that our various gifts complement each other.
You don’t see a foot or an eye wandering around by itself! (see 1
Corinthians 12)
Because God’s basic unit is the church, not the
individual.
The story of the Bible is that of God making, shaping
and refining his people, beginning with Abraham. The lives of individuals
like David, Isaiah, the Disciples, and Paul have their meaning because they are
part of God’s continuous community. It has tasted c.4,000 years – and
there are no signs that God has changed his plan! (see Genesis 12:1-3;
15:1-6; Romans 4)
Because you are not paying the price of being a
Christian.
The ‘solo flight’ is a very attractive style of
Christianity for some, but it evades a basic element, the cost of
Discipleship. Jesus called his followers to serve their community of
faith… to be ‘slave of all’. (see Mark 10:35-45)
Because you cannot understand the New Testament
properly unless you belong to a church.
Most of the New Testament is addressed to
churches. If you only read the Bible privately, then you will not be in
the right place to hear God’s word. You will ‘privatise’ its message, and
so misunderstand it. (see most of Paul’s letters)
Because basic maturity in faith and knowledge is only
found in the church.
The Bible clearly teaches that immaturity is found in
those who cannot cope with the church ‘system’ (Titus 1:5; 3:10), and that
maturity and fullness of faith is a corporate experience of the Christian
community. (Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:13-16)
Because sharing in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper is
basic to Christian obedience.
We share in these sacraments because of the command of
Christ. They are not private rites but corporate actions of the body of
Christ. A ‘grab and run’ approach is wrong; sharing in them means
belonging to a church. (see 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:17-34; 12:13)
Because submitting to Christian leadership is integral
to New Testament Christianity.
'Going-it-alone' is okay in the short term, but eventually
we err if we imagine that we do not need structures and human authority. God's
provision of order and authority in the church is his realistic way of
helping us. (see Hebrews 13:17)
Because fellowship-groups, evangelism teams, Christian
societies are no substitute for churches.
Special groups and teams are more exciting than
churches, because they attract people of similar aims, ideas and
abilities. They do good work but are not the same as churches, because
they are limited in membership and task oriented. Churches have to accept
everyone, gifted or not, and so they more accurately reflect God’s free grace.
‘...not neglecting to meet
together … but encouraging one another.’
Hebrews 10:25 (R.S.V.)
