Is the Church Irrelevant?

Why should I bother with church? We know that many churches are gearing up to launch their fall programs, hoping to stir up interest in the community. Why should I care? Some people who left their church years ago may be wondering if this is the time to return, but not I. Others may even be harboring thoughts of dropping out.

Many people see the church as boring, untrue and irrelevant. To them it’s based on human documents, fairy-tale myths, tangled superstitions and make belief events. They claim that people in the church haggle over doctrinal beliefs and wallow in hypocrisy. It has nothing to say to current life issues. It’s a plague and a blight on society. That is not true about most churches.

We need to take a closer look to get a true picture. The church is not a building or an organization, it is a group of people who believe what the Bible teaches and who trust in the Lord. In some places these churches meet under a tree or in a home. It is God’s Plan A for explaining redemption to those ‘outside’ the church and for building a fruitful life for those ‘inside’ the church. Jesus said, “I will build my church”. Those who believe in me are my family. It has had, and will continue to be, a powerful influence in the world despite faults and warts. It will outlast all efforts to wipe it off the globe and will be the only thing God will salvage from this planet before He makes it all new.

Currently over 2 billion people, who profess belief in Jesus Christ, likely form over 3 million local church groups around the world. We don’t know how many secret, “underground” churches there are in addition to these. The church worldwide is growing in spite of persecution that kills over 150,000 Christians each year. It involves the biggest participation of volunteers, the strongest motive of love, the simplest administrative plan by using believes where they are gifted to serve, and has the unique purpose of existing for the benefit of those who are not members.

YOU are invited!!

Seeing it from the sunny side,

Henry Wiebe