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Not All Who Wander Realize They're Lost
A few years back I read an article by a young writer discussing how college students relate to the church. The basic premise of his article was that it's okay not to be committed to a church. He outlined reasons that commitment to a local church can be cumbersome or difficult for college students. He talked about why in the formative years of college too quickly pledging allegiance to a particular denomination might hinder the intellectual growth of a student. He shared that there might be benefits to delaying commitment to a particular church--even to not attending for a season of time.
The author did a good job of articulating the values held by many Christian college students today. Basically, the local church is not a big priority. College is a time for expanding your intellectual horizons, toying with new ideas and philosophies and discovering what works for you on your journey. It's a time to wander and explore. Church is something you can get around to later.
This outlook is very appealing. And it compliments the very American value of doing whatever is best for self. But from my study these ideas have no basis in scripture. Reading Hebrews 10:23-25 I can't see a commendation of well-intentioned wandering from the church:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.From the very early days of the church some Christians have been tempted to neglect meeting together with other Christians. I don't know what their reasons were. Maybe they justified it by needing to be recharged. They might explain it by saying they need to explore new ideas. They might be too busy with homework and the next paper. But none of the excuses are valid. God says we need each other. He says we need encouragement. He reminds us that a day is approaching that must inform how we spend every day that precedes it. In light of the sin in our hearts, a world opposed to the gospel and a devil who wants to destroy us, we need God's family to survive.
Today I think many people justify their attitude toward the church based on what is common. The author I read essentially said that it's uncommon for college students to be strongly rooted in one church. It wasn't his experience and since he's closer to his college buddies than any of the people at churches he hopped between it's proof that his wandering was time well spent.
What isn't addressed in this description is the question of whether this approach is pleasing to God. Could it be that such a lax attitude toward the church is a form of selfishness? Is it proud for a 20-year-old to assume that he doesn't need to spiritual nourishment, mutual encouragement and support that a church provides? Is what someone describes as noble searching and exploration really just disobedience to God's clear commands?
And could it be that some of the best reasons for being part of a church is not just for what you can get out of it, but what you can give to it? The writer whose article I read stated that he didn't miss much in the years he spent wandering from the church. That's debatable. But even if it's accurate, I would venture to say that the church missed something from his absence. How could a local congregation have benefitted from this young man investing his gifts and talents in their church community?
Think of all the Christians in the world who are wandering without connection to a local church--who aren't investing their gifts, their energy, their passion into local churches. Is it any wonder we can so quickly identify deficiencies in churches? Christ's body has a lot of "wandering" body parts.
And if it's true that college is a time for pushing away from what we know and a chance to strengthen our faith, it would seem that there would be evidence of this working in people's lives. I've not seen that evidence. I know a lot of people who wander and never come back to the faith they knew in their youth. I know many people who are deceived by sin and without a network of support find their faith shipwrecked. I know of many who carry the same self-centered approach to the church long past their college years. They never learn to live in community, they remain spiritual loners and their spiritual growth is stunted as a result.
Not all who wander are lost. But it's also true that not all who wander realize they're lost. Or that their wandering is a disservice to Jesus Christ who so closely identifies with his church that he once asked a man attacking the church, "Why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4). When we measure our attitude toward the church next to what God's word says about its importance and priority in the Christian life, I think we will discover that there is little room for wandering, uncommitted Christians.
For more on this subject, I've written a book entitled Stop Dating the Church.
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Comments (15)
Amen, Josh! This article reminded me of the blessing I have to be enrolled at a college that actively encourages and supports students being committed to a local church. Geneva College provides incoming students with information about churches in the area, which ones provide transportation, etc...and the student discipleship coordinators actively promote commitment to a church as well. It's been a great thing to see, ad to watch students who would have otherwise just let that sit on the back-burner make a commitment to regularly hearing the Word of God preached. Thank you for the insights!
In the Gospel,
David Ketter
Posted by David Ketter | July 20, 2008 9:53 PM
Does "meeting together" have to essentially mean the Sunday morning gathering? Most of those same college students still do gather together with the saints - more often and more regularly, from what I've seen.
Posted by Rick | July 20, 2008 9:53 PM
I guess the commitment to a local church is more than merely to satisfy the "meeting together" criteria. The teaching, accountability, worship, witnesses... means more than that, not that a local church definitely satisfy all that (though a good one should).
Posted by Edmond | July 21, 2008 3:41 AM
Hi Josh,
Would you mind if I ask: Would you change these rules or amend these insights for someone who feels called to be a pioneer missionary in a foreign country? And how? And would you think that those amendments would apply to anyone else, as well?
The reason I ask is because I've been reading Hudson Taylor's writings recently this year and he was literally apalled by the home church activity in London -- actually because so many people met together regularly and joyfully. He could not believe that while people met together by the hundreds, by the thousands, in countries like England and America, there were only two Christian men (missionaries) to reach 100,000 each in their appointed area of service in China -- still leaving entire towns, cities, and provinces unreached by the Gospel, only miles away (and it was a similar situation in other countries, as well).
Here were millions of people perishing because people were rooted in their local churches, rather than being rooted solely and fully in Christ (wherever they may be, whoever they are with) as is the true Church, His Bride.
Beyond merely thinking this way, he traveled and spoke at conferences telling people that while they were very intent on reserving their seats at these conferences every year so that they could find fellowship he wanted them to know that if they would only follow God's command (given in the Great Commission) to 'go' out into the world (be it college campuses or far-away foreign countries) and preach the Good News of Salvation they would find God very present, and very real -- they would find a fellowship with Him beyond what they sought in fellowshiping with great preachers and in masses -- they would find the fellowship of sharing in His Sufferings and thus knowing His Heart (much as Paul, in the Bible, did).
To clarify, I am not "against" conferences, local churches, or large or mid-sized gatherings of believers meeting together; but rather, I am wondering why we are not being thrust forth but instead admonished to stay where we are if we have a good church or to move to a town where there is one.
What about the unreached world -- both right outside our doors and thousands of miles away. How will the body of Christ reach them if we cling to each other like limbs of a person who curls up in a corner instead of moving freely as parts of the body confident that they abide as one regardless of if the arm reaches or the legs run?
How is the one lost sheep to be found if we cling to the ninety-nine -- or, as the numbers seem to be reversed if you compare the church to the (fully or relatively) unreached world; how will we find the ninety-nine who are perishing amongst thorns and wandering near precipices if we stay in the comfortable pastures with that one? Is THAT not doing what is best for self rather than Christ?
We are not wandering if we 'go' with Jesus.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts!
- Nicole
Posted by Nicole T. | July 21, 2008 5:02 AM
Nicole,
I think you bring up some great questions and observations. I can only speak for myself to say I was convicted about my attitude and my lack of consistent outreach. However, although I can empathize and even agree with some of the symptoms I dare say that Mr. Taylor has the wrong diagnosis and cure. The reason I don't often stretch myself outside of my comfort zone within the local church is not a reflection on the local church but on me. The cause is not a focus/passion for the local church rather it is not enough passion for it.
The cure is to develop/promote a passion for the local church because first God holds a passion for them (see Josh's book or Edmund Clowney's "The Church"), and second the local church is a primary means that service and witness is developed, supported, and effect long term. First I am by any stretch Josh Harris and he his definitely more qualified to speak on this, but I felt I had something to add. But first let me indulge myself with a little sports history....
Brooks Robinson's play at third base was arguably unmatched by anyone who has ever played the game of baseball. He played twenty-three years for the Baltimore Orioles, setting major league career records for games, putouts, assists, chances, double plays and fielding percentage.
Brooks played in four World Series, winning the MVP in 1970 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. His fielding was as beautiful to watch as it was daunting to opposing teams. Brooks played and lived baseball simply because he had a passion for the game. He once said of himself, "I'm a guy who just wanted to see his name in the lineup everyday. To me, baseball was a passion to the point of obsession."
This passion made Brooks put everything he had into every play. People that watched him play could not help but notice his devotion to the sport of baseball. Umpire Ed Hurley once said of Brooks, "He plays third base like he came down from a higher league."
Brook Robinson's passion in life was the thrill he received from stopping an impossible grounder, throwing someone out at first from his knees, or turning a double play. The baseball diamond was a place where his dreams were realized and his passions were played out.
Yet despite all of his zeal and drive to succeed, Brooks could not have achieved anything without an actual field to play on. Throwing humility aside for a second, I am exceptionally gifted in distinguishing between a baseball and a soccer field. Both fields have a unique shape, one a diamond, the other a rectangle. The field provides context for the game, for when you see a particular field you immediately know how it's used and why. You can't play baseball properly on a soccer field and how would you sink a three pointer in basket ball without the three-point line. How could Brooks throw someone out without a first base to throw to?
Just like in baseball, serving needs a context to be effective. It needs a playing field. Biblical servanthood is primarily expressed among God's people, which is the local church. Within this community, care and kindness can be practically demonstrated. People can serve and love one another in the church context. Here, motivated by God grace, propelled by His love, and enabled by His Spirit, the local church provides the context for Christian service. The church is serving's playing field. "For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9
The church is vital and unique in providing care and magnifying the Gospel. It enables believers to serve others, all so that God's glory may be proclaimed as well as manifested. Professor Edmund Clowney writes "The church is called to serve God in three ways: to serve him directly in worship; to serve the saints in nurture; and to serve the world in witness." The church is to provide the basis from which God's people can serve one another as well as reach out to the world in witness.
God's command to serve him is most always made in a certain context. That context is usually within the presence His people. The commands in the Old Testament were regarding the temple or the tabernacle or public rituals. The seven men appointed in Acts 6 were to serve in the context of the local church. Their role was to satisfy needs that existed within the church. The early church saw that local church provides the perfect milieu for serving God's people.
To understand this is to grasp a vital aspect and mandate of the local church. God's design is nothing short of amazing. Serving and witness need the church for a context to magnify the Gospel and worship God, the church needs serving and witness to build unity and satisfy needs within and without of the church. It is a perfect symbiotic relationship. The local church and serving/witness cannot survive very well without one another.
God developed the concept and structure of the church to be his instrument on the earth to accomplish his plan of salvation and sanctification. This is the very purpose of the church, see Ephesians 3:8-10. Paul states that God invented the church before the outset of time to be his vehicle on earth to make his wisdom known in the earth.
Furthermore, our adoption into the kingdom of God results in a reconciling with his people. God saved us individually to him, but he also saved us into fellowship with his people. His people are brought together to glorify and worship God as one unified body in the local church. They gather because the church is the oasis within the sea of sin both in and around us. And here as they rest from the fallen world is where we can serve them.
The local church equips people to serve and witrness as it provides a structure and framework within which serving is carried out. Without a local body of believers to be involved in, serving would be severely limited in scope and effectiveness. We could never serve others beyond our own abilities to track down people and develop biblical relationships.
In the book of 1st Peter chapter 4 verse 10 states "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:" So, like a forward in soccer needs a goal net to provide context for a score, the serving gifts need context within the church to be effective in benefiting others. The church gives the primary context for its members to be good stewards of God's varied graces, which include witness. Someone can have all the zeal and gifting to serve, but without someone and somewhere to actually do that, all that passion would be useless. Or someone can have all the zeal to head to Africa or Frisco, TX to witness but without the church to train and support them or local churches being built in those places to sustain converts it will rarely happen or be effective.
Ephesians 4:11-16 makes it clear that being properly equipped for works in ministry is an essential part of the Christian life. "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God," The church has been designed by God to be the very vehicle that equips the saints for spreading of the Gospel.
With the local church, God has given us a field to serve within and witness from. People wearied by the world and beset with sin can come and tangibly taste God's provision and love. As chairs are arranged, children are watched, books are sold, and instruments are played, a great testimony of praise is offered to God. The local church is vital in fulfilling the command to serve. It is the place where God's people gather and from whence His name and Gospel light shines forth into a dark world.
"In the pursuit of holiness, in the proclamation of the Gospel, in the service of the poor and friendless, the church of Christ builds a spiritual culture, a foretaste of the kingdom to come. Life Transformed in a community living in love for God and our neighbors."
The church provides the needed context to serve/witness and plays a vital role in equipping people to do both. God grants us the ability to apply gifts like structures and organization to help local the church glorify Him and spread the Gospel more so than they could individually. In the big picture, the hallmark of Christian life is not about how well organized or structured (or for that matter how spontaneous) the church is. Rather it is whether we have built our faith, our church, and our ministries on the foundation of the Gospel.
That means we rest and find our assurance in Christ's work on the Cross, not in our ability to organize, serve, or witness. Our Passion for the local church should stem from not our work in local church but from Christ's passion and plans for, as well as His work in, the local church. People serve and love one another and witness to others in or with the church context, motivated by God's grace, propelled by His love, and enabled by His Spirit. As we come to develop a stronger passion for the church, our serving will metamorphose into a passionate drive to see God glorified and the Gospel magnified in people's lives. We can then serve and witness like Brooks played third.
Posted by Nate Palmer | July 21, 2008 8:49 AM
So true! It's ironic that you suggested that the reason people thought they didn't need to go to church was to "be recharged," because a lot of the time, that is why I do go to church! After a long week of work and school and being "in the world" it is nice to meet with Christians and hear the Gospel.
Posted by Janaan | July 21, 2008 12:05 PM
Rick asked: "Does "meeting together" have to essentially mean the Sunday morning gathering? Most of those same college students still do gather together with the saints - more often and more regularly, from what I've seen."
Josh: Yes, the writer of Hebrews is referring to some kind of formal gathering of the church. He uses a word for their meeting or "assembly" that is similar to "church".
So, while it's wonderful for college age Christians to gather together often and spend time together during that very unique and limited season of their life, it doesn't replace participation in a local congregation with elders, the preaching of the word and the sacraments.
Thanks for the question. And, RIck, if you'd like a copy of my book that covers this issue a bit more please email your address to my assistant. Her address is listed in the contacts section of the site.
Posted by Joshua Harris | July 21, 2008 2:22 PM
Nicole,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I remember from other comments that you've left that the issue of local church involvement has been a struggle for you.
In response to your comments, I think that it's important to note we don't have to choose between being committed to the local church and having a heart to reach lost people. God doesn't give us that option. He tells us to join ourselves to local churches so that we can participate in the mission of not only sharing the gospel but making disciples. This is the calling of the church. It happens best in Christian community.
Second, I do think there are those called to the special calling of planting churches in places where the name of Jesus has not been heard. Were churches in Hudson Taylor's day complacent about this? They may have been. But the complacency of a church for sending missionaries shouldn't cause us to neglect our commitment to the church. We don't honor God by replacing one form of disobedience with another.
We also need to remember that not everyone has the calling of Hudson Taylor. All are called to share the gospel and reach the lost. Not all are called to leave their country and be foreign missionaries. Those who do have this calling should be honored and applauded. But let's not confuse "wandering" college students with people going to foreign lands to share the gospel. They are two very different things.
The Apostle Paul was a man who God called to be a missionary. He was a man called to go. But you also see him planting churches, leaving young men like Timothy behind to lead a church in Ephesus, and writing to members of local churches assuming that they are going about their work in their local area as they speak and live the gospel.
Posted by Joshua Harris | July 21, 2008 2:40 PM
Thanks, Josh, for your reply and offer - too much to read already :) but thanks anyway.
Posted by Rick | July 21, 2008 4:06 PM
Hi Josh,
Thanks so much for your reply -- I really appreciate you taking the time to consider my questions. But may I respectfully say that I'm not quite sure that you've answered them?
I think that while I was asking whether you believed that God's Will could be different for each individual, and at different times (i.e. seasons of abundant fellowship and seasons of being called apart to be stretched to serve God in other circles); you responded with the rather common generalization that "we don't have to choose between being committed to the local church and having a heart to reach lost people."
I believe that the various commands in the Bible which many relate to local church attendance when discussing the matter really relate to being a part of God's Church by being committed to Him and not neglecting to fellowship when fellowship is available -- not to seeking out fellowship with people with as much intensity as we would seek fellowship personally with Him. And I asked the questions because I felt a little offended by the article as in my life I have felt that I've had to choose between being committed to the local church and being committed to God and obeying His commands (including reaching out to the lost).
I feel that it is too much of a generalization to assume that everyone belongs in community, at all times, and that all Christian college students who are not attending local churches are wandering -- I honestly believe that several of them could be closer to God than you and I; and merely a small circle of disciples obeying Him by bringing His Love out of the church buildings and devoting much of their time to reaching the lost and dying world.
In the churches I attended, the lost weren't welcome -- and I barely was. Also, reaching out to each other was frowned upon if not done according to their rules. Not only did their love and service not extend far beyond the walls of their building, but I found that it was also confined by the walls of religion and rules in their hearts -- and neither were they willing to speak truth that everyone would not approve of, thus they became as those who seek to please man; not God -- and no one was really Saved by their efforts.
For example, during worship at one meeting I noticed a boy who had been hurt (hit in the eye) during one of the youth games sitting near the door with an ice pack. God nudged my heart and told me to go and ask if I could pray for him. I hesitated for a little bit, but after a few moments walked over and asked him about his eye and told him that I'd like to pray for him if that was alright. He responded, "Sure!" and I began praying. When I opened my eyes, an older boy I knew who was being discipled to become a leader was standing nearby, waiting to talk to me. After I finished with my new young friend, I walked up to him and he explained to me that the youth leaders had sent him to get me -- I was supposed to be worshipping and they wanted me back with the group. I was close to being in trouble. But you know what? A few minutes later, that boy's eye was completely better and every time after that when I saw him he'd give me a great big smile.
So, could it be that God calls us out of the fold to reach out, at times, because the fold is not doing their part? I don't believe it would be replacing one form of disobedience with another, but rather reaching out where there is a need -- like a man cooking dinner, doing laundry, and keeping house when his wife is bedridden with sickness (no; it's not his planned role, but should the children starve, wear dirty clothes, and live in an unkept place because she is not ably fulfilling her part for a time?). Likewise, when the church within buildings is not thriving and alive with God's Love; does not God ever call His people out of the stagnant silence as His living and moving, speaking and loving Church to be His Bride, bringing forth His Kingdom to those who are hungry for Truth and perishing for lack of it, and rescuing the lost?
Just to note, I have read your book, "Stop Dating The Church!" -- I was able to borrow a copy -- so I was really considering this recently, and studied what you've previously written regarding it (in spite of you calling those like me "good for nothing bricks"!). =) Anyway, I still keep praying about finding a local church to attend -- who knows?
Again, thanks so much for your time, Josh. And thank you again for your response -- I do agree with many of the things you said, but just felt that the core of my comment, the questions, were not really addressed. Sorry. =/
God bless you!
Nicole
Posted by Nicole T. | July 21, 2008 10:40 PM
Hi Nate (Palmer),
I was slightly overwhelmed reading through all the comments today, but I did read through yours -- and will read through it again when I get the chance and can really consider your viewpoint. I just wanted to say, thanks for sharing your thoughts with me -- and I look forward to putting together a response (in the near future)!
In Christ alone,
Nicole
Posted by Nicole T. | July 21, 2008 10:45 PM
Hi Nate,
I was writing out a response to the various points you made, and disagreed much with you, but then I realized that I really didn't want to argue -- and as I probably would not convince you by writing out my opinion, or even other great men's interpretation of Scripture, it would be fruitless to continue to put time into stating our differences.
But then I realized something we might agree on -- which may just sum up everything. Ready?
When I read that you believe that the (local) church is where God primarily wills that we serve, I completely disagreed. But then I realized that God always tries with His people first, before taking His message to the world -- for example, He offered first the benefits of knowing Him to the Jews, and then to the Gentiles. So, I'm thinking that I disagree with you in present-day approach because of experience, but perhaps we may be able to come to an agreement based on theory.
Here's an example: My mom and our family used to attend a church several years back (when I was 8 or 9 years old). My mom was called to be a prophet and began receiving prophetic "words" for the pastor, and some of the youth in the church. She asked the parents of the kids if she could meet with them and their child to pray for them and share what God had told her about the child's calling. The parents said no. They were God's primary choice, for sure. But because they were unwilling to hear did God stop speaking, stop calling people, stop working? Not at all.
After my mom was turned away within the church, God led her to go out into the neighborhood surrounding the church. There were a lot of kids there whose parents were alchoholics, gamblers, drug-addicts who really needed Christ -- and whose parents, surprisingly, had no problem with our influence. We set up hockey goals in the tennis court at the park somewhat near the church, got some hockey sticks, and began playing hockey with them -- and praying for them and sharing God's Love with them. My mom even had them over to our house and fed them plenty of times. She asked these kids' parents if she could meet with them and share what God had told her about their children's callings. They agreed.
After we told these kids about God, some of them told us that they had tried to attend the local church. They explained how poorly they were treated and that they knew they weren't wanted there. They also told us that they had tried to take their hockey game over the the church when the tennis courts were full (as the streets were full of potholes) and that they were told to get off the property because the church leaders didn't want their parking-lot curbs scuffed up.
So, here's the dilemma: I, too, believe that God would prefer to work in AND through the local churches to reach the world. But what happens when the local churches are unwilling to obey Him and they turn their hearts away from the lost? I wholeheartedly believe that He then takes His Bride -- His true Church -- with Him, steps outside the buildings and organized gatherings, and invites those who are willing and ready to feast with Him, to join us.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree?
Thanks for your time!
Nicole
Posted by Nicole T. | July 22, 2008 7:08 PM
Hey Nicole
Sorry for the slow reply, your posts had me thinking and praying I really appreciate that. Thank you.
As I thought about your posts, I get the sense that you see a dichotomy or contradiction between the local church (inward focus) and missions (outward focus). I mean how can God will us to be building a local community of believers while expecting us to spread the gospel around the world? It seems God is asking us to go in two different directions. In such cases it is best to see what scripture says about both these ideas. I think you would agree that both the local church and missions are ordained, founded, and purposed by God.
2 quick example of the Local Church in Scripture
1. Most of the New Testament is written to churches for churches and deals with how we are to act in church see 1 and 2 Corinthians for good examples. God through Paul and other writers not only condones local church but encourages and sustains them (otherwise He would not have letters written to them to be read out loud to the whole church see Ephesians).
2. Hebrews 10:24-25 specifically commands we meet as believers, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
It seems God not cares for churches but commands us to be relationship with other believers.
As for witness and missions I think we both agree given the numerous verses that God not only cares but commands them as well
So given that God is all-powerful, all-wise, all knowing, everywhere present, and the very definition of truth and justice - did he contradict himself or did he design both to work together?
I would argue and think logic concludes that God has designed the local church to support witness and mission and vice versa. In fact the local church needs missions to be healthy and missions need the local church to be fruitful and effective.
Case in point Acts 6. Here the local church is having an issue with serving widows. However, in order to serve them, what did they do? They used the local church to mobilize a service crew to feed them and help them. Look what the Bible states after they did this Acts 6:7 "And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith."
This lays the groundwork for how missions and the local church work together to magnify the Gospel for the glory of God and the benefit of others
I am sorry and saddened by the treatment of your mom and those kids. But throwing out the local church is to weaken the very goal you seek, and more importantly the goal God seeks. The answer to how we have strong missions is to strengthen the local church and to have healthy churches to strengthen our witness. The seemingly dichotomous commands are really harmonious and symbiotic. They need each other and God designed it that way. Isn't it amazing and wonderful that God can command us to go in seemingly different directions yet somehow fulfilling both purposes together? Let us worship!!!!
I am not sure this is the direction josh wanted for his post, so if you want to continue this you can post on www.biblicalservanthood.com
Posted by Nate Palmer | July 24, 2008 12:56 AM
Hi Nate,
I really appreciate your thoughtful consideration of what I said. And thank you, once again, for taking the time to discuss this.
In response to what you were saying, I wholeheartedly agree that God ordained both local churches and missions -- and I believe that it is beneficial to both when they can work together -- but I'm not sure that they need to work together for God's Will to be done. Furthermore, I believe that in some cases, the disobedience of leaders has made it impossible for them to work together as God intended.
As an example, some Christian families end up without father or mother due to tragedy, selfish choices, etc. When that happens, one person is left to fill both roles. If it is the father, he must do his normal fatherly duties of working, protecting, and leading; along with the motherly duties of cooking and cleaning, comforting, and interceding. If it is the mother, she must do likewise. It was not planned or intended that the father would have to housekeep and hold crying babes; nor would it be intended that a mother would have to fix a broken bicycle or stand and fight to defend her children if someone broke into the house. For either of them to have to do both these duties puts strain not only on them, but on the children (as the children do not end up receiving all the love and care and protection they would have received from two parents; nor is what is offered always what it could have been from someone in their intended role -- i.e. a mother would not be as strong of a protector and a father would not be as tender of an encourager). The two working together was God's intended Plan for families, in general -- the two compliment each other and it is beautiful, and can even be perfect. But it's not a perfect world -- there is sin, there is loss, there are failures and needs for our hearts to become like His that can only be met by us fellowshipping with Him in His Sufferings.
I agree that it would be very ideal if local churches and missions worked together to both spur believers on to walking in righteousness and the strengthening of faith and to reach out to the lost, hurting and perishing world. But I disagree with you that it is always necessary -- as it is not always available and I have seen God's Will done in situations where it was not.
Just as a family can get along with only one parent to both mother and father the children, although it is lonely and definitely not the easiest way, so I believe that a body of believers can evangelize the lost, fellowship together, grow closer to God, and spur each other on to obeying God's call without a building, ordained pastors or elders, or many members. I grew up in such a home as I was describing and there were gaps -- but God filled those as I sought Him. And likewise have I seen Him fill gaps, as we ask of Him, when a church has been unavailable to my family to encourage us with fellowship, to provide funds for a work, or to strengthen us with their prayers.
And just as Hudson Taylor trusted God as a missionary in China without a church denomination or mission society to support him (as the ones available did not handle their funds properly so because of his convictions he withdrew), and by God's grace and providence through him one of the greatest and largest mission societies was born, so I believe that if we trust God wherever He leads us (even if it is outside the churches and organized gatherings -- into colleges, onto the streets, or anywhere) He can and will do great things regardless of the support of man we have lost as we stepped out in obedience to His Call.
I believe that's all I have to say on the subject. Feel free to respond with your thoughts again, if you'd like; but I think I've said fully what I'd like to of what I believe and it's at the point where both sides can be considered in prayer by each of us.
I would like to thank you once more, though, as this has been very edifying for me to consider what should be beside what I've experienced and to realize the beauty of God's intended plan (which I seemed to have forgotten about), but also, how awesome what He's done in my life truly is considering what was missing. Thank you!
God bless,
Nicole
Posted by Nicole T. | July 24, 2008 8:41 AM
Thank you to both Nate and Nicole; I have learned a lot reading both of your sides about the church and have been encouraged to think more deeply about this (and other issues) than I did before. :] It is sweet to learn more nuggets about the truth of God through this blog and everyone's posts! :]
Posted by Rachel Dulaney | July 24, 2008 9:02 PM