Church

Yesterday at our church, St. John’s, we celebrated Christmas. Yes, you read that correctly … Christmas in July! We sang Christmas hymns in worship, decorated with poinsettias and the baby Jesus in the manger, ate Christmas cookies and hot chocolate on a stick (a.k.a. fudge sickles). All because the joy of Christmas should be celebrated year round, not just Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Not bad for my first Sunday at St. John’s … since Advent and Christmas are my favorite church seasons!

But, Father Paul mentioned some things in his sermon that I thought were excellent! In particular (and relate-able to youth ministry) – Father Paul made the statement that God is the Architect and we, the church today, are the builders. Each of us is called to take a brick and build (living out our Baptismal vows)! And, we always need more builders (evangelism). Finally, our blueprint for building the Kingdom? Yep, you guess it, Scripture! I think this is a very youth friendly and relatable concept of our responsibilities as the body of Christ (the Church) and of God.

So, when you hear the word “church” what do you think about / how do you define it? Do you think about things like mega churches or small town childhood memories, or Christmas, or a beautiful place? This is a very valid question in today’s society. Certainly, our definition of “Church” shapes how we live out our faith! And we all know about connotations of words (thank you middle school English teachers) … and sadly “Church” isn’t doesn’t have the greatest connotation for the post-modern generation (but that’s a whole other post…).

So how does this relate to the post-modern generation / youth ministry today? I’m guessing (based on my experience in youth ministry) that most youth today would likely answer the question by defining “church” as a building or a place where believers gather to worship God. And while that is a fair statement, I think there is a general misconception about church being people. Further, as a side note / point of reference - I have also experienced that if you were to say “body of Christ” to Christian youth today, they would likely define that as people. And then of course there’s the whole big C (universal) / little c thing to consider (but that’s another post, too….)

But I say there is MUCH more to “church” than a local place and that we must help youth (and their parents and church members) to embrace this concept. Based on my understanding of who God is (i.e. Architect) and through Scripture, I do not think it wise of us to place limits on “church” as an event or activity in which we have the option to participate or not.
The bottom line for me? Church = the body of Christ. Church (capital C) is more than just a place. Church is people. People who follow Christ … collectively (world-wide) and of ALL ages (see 1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” NIV translation).
I remember reading an excerpt from a Christian musician who agrees with this way of thinking about the word “Church.” He says that we would never think to ourselves (or say out-loud) something like …

"Thank goodness it's Friday! I'm looking forward to going to ‘family’ and
crashing in the recliner.” Of course, you might say, "It's family night," but in
doing so you wouldn't be thinking of your family as an activity. You'd
be describing and thinking of a group of people.

Stick with me here ….

I am convinced that Church is more than just a building (and that we should be teaching this better to the post-modern generation) for several reasons. First, the English word “church” comes from the Greek word “ekklesia” which means “an assembly” or “a called out body.” And interesting that when used scripturally, “ekklesia” doesn’t refer to a building or place but to a group of people. In some senses it refers to a circle. So, to me it seems all of these facts certainly give “Church” a relational meaning … not institutional.

Secondly, Scripture references Church as more than just a local place … it has universal meaning with regards to people as well! And, surprise, surprise, it still applies to us today. In keeping with Father Paul’s reference to God as Architect, let’s think at Matthew 16! In verse 18, Jesus is talking and says you, Peter, are the foundation / the rock on which I will build my church! So, Jesus uses A PERSON as the foundation on which to build the CHURCH! Hello ….

Simply acknowledging “church” as a building or place we go Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights undermines our understanding of who we are, whose we are, and who we're called to be. Period. So teaching youth that it’s as simple as a change in our thoughts and words is important! So Church, my challenge to us this week is to start small … try something like simply saying I’m going to worship on Sunday instead of I’m headed to church! Or “Hey _____(insert name here)___, are you going to St. John’s youth Brown Bag on Wednesday to make soup for Urban Ministries?” instead of “Are you going to church Wednesday to make soup?”

I’m just saying …

Holy Hospitality

Balloons in the hallway, brownies and flowers on my desk, hugs all around, and lunch out with the staff were what I walked into on this, my first day, at St. John's! I felt so comfortable and welcomed right away on what could have been a stressful moment walking into the unknown!

And what's more - a week ago when my family and I arrived in Charlotte, we were greeted by many helping hands from the St. John's congregation ... who had our moving truck unloaded in a matter of an hour and a half!

And even before these amazing moments - about a month and a half beforehand - I was so impressed by the hospitality I experienced during my two in person interviews at St. John's! Snacks and drinks, a written and confirmed schedule, dinner with Matt and a lunch with Father Paul, and much more!

What I experienced was hospitality. No - Holy Hospitality.

Dictionary.com defines hospitality as the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers or as the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way. So some synonyms for hospitality are warmth, cordiality, geniality, friendliness. And, of course, we know that "Holy" adds that Christian flair to it!

I'd say that what I have experienced is more like Holy Hospitality because I have a profound sense that this hospitality is intentionally offered through the command and example of Jesus. In fact, what I have experienced over the past weeks reminded me of the passage in Scripture where Jesus explains to the disciples the importance and rewards of hospitality.

I read this passage from Mattew 10:40-42 as a call to hospitality. And, here, I get the sense that parents are modeling and teaching this important characteristic to their children ... hence the families that came to help me move. I get the sense that it is important to the staff of the church to be a functional family ... hence the hugs and balloons and lunch out together!

I remember learning in seminary that hospitality can certainly impact what "makes" or "breaks" a church. So, St. John's, I'd say you seem to get it! And, I thank you for the warm and loving welcome that my family and I have received from you. I look forward to the future and to serving in youth ministry with you and to learning more from you about your great gift of hospitality.