What is a church supposed to be?

The word church comes from the Greek word "ecclesia" meaning "called out ones". It originally referred to Christians who were called out of Satan's worldly systems. The letter Paul wrote to the Christians at Ephesus describes much of how a church is expected to function. The leaders are not supposed to do the work of the ministry. Their work is to build up the church members for the work of the ministry by helping them become like Jesus. The "church" was supposed to be those Christians who were Christ-like.

What the church has become

Today the word "church" more often refers to a building, denomination or franchise brand, a legal entity with a constitution and by-laws, an economic collective with real estate, trust, and asset holdings, a classroom or lecture hall where a weekly speech is heard, and a system of events, programs, rituals, and procedures.

Where the "church" went wrong.

In the letters to the Ephesians and the Corinthians, we can already see how Christians are getting off track. As early as the second century you have the elevation of "important people", the adoption of Hellenistic Greek academies as catechetical schools, Greek rhetoric and philosophy as the basis for training the clergy, and the exclusion of regular Christians from the work of the "church". Christianity is now no more about being like Jesus but having the smartest people work out the most precisely phrased creed.

We can see much of the same pattern borne out with the Pharisees. This happens when "who you know" (Jesus) is replaced by "what you do" (works). This is the "leaven" that Jesus warned His disciples about. It is sneaky because we think we are doing good things, but soon we become blind and unable to see how far we have drifted from our Lord.

Where we are today

There was a woman that became a Christian as an adult. In the book she wrote, she tells that she started to attend a local church. She said, "I went from thinking I was the only one who had not heard about Jesus to thinking I was the only one who had." People can be raised in a church and remain active their whole life and never trust in Jesus for their salvation or come to have their character changed to be more like Him. Often church can even be an impediment to Christianity because it tricks people into thinking that they have fulfilled requirements by being baptized, giving 10% of their income, being regular in attendance, or having membership.

As a result of being mistaken about Christianity, many people have no difference between them and a good Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu. They might be religious and want to do good, but without the Spirit of God working in them to change them, they can never know real peace, joy, love, or truth. The promises of the Bible seem to them to be more poetic exaggeration than anything real that can be obtained. There can be great fondness for music and traditions from childhood that are savored at special events like Christmas and Easter. However, Christ did not die on the cross so that we could have an occasional emotional "high" from sentimental nostalgia.

Satan was clever to change Christianity into a system so that it would resonate with and conform to the other systems he has established. In this way he can then set the course for these systems to merge. The church today is almost like a school. Sermons are often boring lectures because this is how seminary students are trained. It is a system set up to process a "product". Information is directed at a person who is supposed to retain it. However, Christianity is supposed to be more than just the ability to retain information.

What can we do?

The "right" church is not the selection of the best brand available. It is the moment two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus and they are walking by His Spirit in truth and love. The problem is that church was never meant to be an organization or a system. It was to be the reflection of Christians becoming like Jesus and the love that they show each other. Christianity is supposed to be relational not organizational. The two are not compatible.

The Pharisees had a system. Most modern churches are similarly ossified. The solution is to ignore the organizations that claim exclusive authority over Christian activity. If you want to learn more about how to be like Jesus, find an older and wiser Christian who clearly shows Jesus in his or her life and ask them to teach you. You can visit most churches and look for opportunities to minister to Christians as individuals. For example,  you can enter a church as a Christian and observe an older woman on the fringe of activity. You can approach her and engage in conversation. You may discover she has some financial needs or even just needs someone to show an interest in her. You can minister to her without anyone's permission but hers.

There are many opportunities for fellowship, learning, teaching, ministry, and service without once having to join a group, follow a procedure, receive classroom instruction, or get approval. 

Some people say that house church is the solution to the problem of modern church systems. We have a house church, but one has to be careful not to change one "system" for another. Even though a house church does not have the financial systems a more traditional church has, that does not mean that they are unable to fall victim to some of the same problems. The emphasis cannot be "house", it has to be church (real Christ-like) Christianity.

If you cannot find a regular church that is free of the "systems" mindset and you cannot find a house church where people are really trying to become like Jesus, you are left trying to do something on your own. Do not worry, you are not as alone as you might think. The person that created the universe is waiting to help you. One of the many problems organizational churches have is trying to be "successful". This is a real trap that appeals to the flesh. It is much better to be faithful. If you search for someone to teach you, the Lord can bring that person across your path. If you would like to find someone to whom you can minister, the Lord can also direct your steps.