The church I dream of…and go to.

I recently read a blog post by a colleague outlining his view of a “dream church”.  It was a conversation about his view of an ideal local church.  It was inspiring and accurate.  This is a common debate about the oldest institution, one that can be healthy and dysfunctional.  It’s a debate that has happened throughout our two-thousand-year history as the church has been both ‘salt and light’ and morally corrupt.  Many times this discussion is out of frustration.  My dad recently relayed a story where, in a time of disappointment with the Church, jokingly said to my mom “I want to build a church in the mountains and not invite any people.”  My mom responded quickly that she wouldn’t got to his church to which he said “I didn’t say YOU were invited.”  We laughed about the idea but, those of us that have been involved in church, know what he meant. 

I tend to not think about the church in utopian terms.  Not because I don’t have ideas but because I, like my friend, don’t expect that there is a perfect church.  I’m a realist and say often I’m satisfied with a “pretty good” church.  Despite my pragmatism, as I read my friends description of his dream church an interesting thought occurred…he’s describing the church I go to!  Before you accuse me of being a homer, understand that I’m not taking credit, merely stating a reality.  I go to a great church.

 I can hear the cynics out there “Of course you say it’s a dream church, you’re the pastor.”  To be clear, we don’t have a great church because of me and it’s not a dream church because I’m a great pastor.  We have a great church because it’s NOT about me.   I know every pastor says this but we have evidence.  If our church greatness was about my qualifications and education…we wouldn’t be great.  If our church greatness was about my experience leading a local church or great preaching…we’d be in trouble.  If our church greatness was about my faith and confidence…we’d be closed. 

So what makes us a dream church? 

Clarity.  We know we are, who we serve and who is in charge.   Jesus left us no clear directive on what every church should look like but he reveals the Kingdom and the church’s role in the Kingdom.  He’s in charge and we follow Him.  His instructions are clear; Love God, Love Others (Matt 22:36-40) and make disciples, of me not you (Matt 28:16-20).

Diversity.  We are unified around the person and cause of Jesus but we come from different walks of life and experiences.  It’s tempting for church plants to “pick an audience” and narrowly focus on attracting that specific people group.  It’s efficient and may create an illusion of unity.  We’ve picked a community and want everyone in that community to belong to our church.  It’s messy and takes more time but have true unity, not uniformity.  The kind of unity that disagrees but still respects.

Cause. When the Holy Spirit fell on Pentecost it had a purpose (Acts 2). It began the Church Age and brought power to believers.  This power propels us into the cause of the local church, one that goes and tell of the freedom we’ve found.  It invites the seeker and challenges the saint.  It is through the Spirit’s directive that we do not create a building or a program but a community of faith that exists for the marginalized and the mainstream, the wealthy and the poor, the wanderer and the found. 

Engagement.  Everyone belongs and everyone plays.  Church is not a spectator sport and we all have something to offer.  The New Testament movement of the church is about ordinary people not a religious class.  It’s led through plurality not celebrity and celebrates the paradoxes of our belief system where the ‘least is greatest’ and the ‘widow’s mite’ is the greatest offering.   Our leadership is diverse and does not center power around one flawed person (that’s me) but trusts in the wisdom of devoted leaders.  It’s not democracy or monarchy, it is a leadership structure that values humility, character and Spirit dependence. 

 

Impact.  There is an old adage that asks “If you church closed today would your community notice?”  It’s a question of impact and reach.  The church is made to do both.  The metrics vary, some more measurable than others but, in my mind, none more noteworthy than lives changed.  The cause of Jesus is a message of redemption.  The old becoming new and the new having direction.  We have seen that impacted lives, impact lives.  This is our attraction, not laser shows and subwoofers, but changed lives.  Never confuse our ‘no frills’ approach with complacency.  We are on mission and the stakes are eternal. Our auditorium seats are not padded and Sundays are just the start of our week.  You’ll like the hour and a half you spend with us and, even better, you’ll leave knowing where you can make a difference.

This is what my church looks like but I believe strongly in the diversity of the local church. If your dream church looks different than mine, it still may be a dream church.  If you don’t like church, I get it.  Don’t give up on Jesus because you’ve seen less than dreamy examples.  I want you to love Jesus and His church but that may take some time.  Dr. Seuss once said “You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” My dream church is not a dream but a reality and I’m in love. You can find this love too.