If I have one more conversation like this, I might actually scream – at least, on the inside. I meet someone who knows or finds out that I am a pastor, and they say they are a member of a church. I ask who the pastor is now, and they say, “Ummm…I don’t know.” “But you said you are a member.” “I haven’t been there in a long time.” A simple conversation that goes wrong because I ask a simple question. My follow-up question is usually, “If you don’t attend, or even know who the pastor is, why are you still a member there?” Their answer? I (want to have my child baptized, get married, have my funeral there, it’s where I grew up, etc.) That doesn’t sound like being part of a community; that sounds like a club membership or subscription plan.
Good theology reminds us that while we can believe in God and not go to church, saying one is a follower of Jesus means we are, by definition, in a community of faith. That community can take on different forms: church on Sunday or online or in a house or a prayer group or a mission project; but Christianity has always been about being in community. “Where two or three are gathered, I am there” is how Jesus put it. We don’t need to pray in public or flaunt how much money we give to the church, but we do have to be connected with others as a household of God. The Apostle Paul didn’t tell people they could gaze at their navels and be followers of Jesus; they had to learn and eat together and share the sacraments and work to build God’s realm. Jesus went to a lonely place to pray and then He got together with people yearning to know more. “Follow Me” assumes togetherness.
Bad theology says that I can be a Christian on my own. Again – to be clear – this doesn’t mean I am not a good person if I am spiritual but not religious. It doesn’t mean I can’t go to heaven if I don’t go to church. Those ideas are meant to bring guilt and shame and create support for the institution of the church. Being the church was never supposed to be about the holy trinity of selfishness: Me, Myself, and I. Bad theology focuses only on my personal relationship with Jesus. Good theology begins there and expands to the larger sense of spiritual family. Family we choose. Family we contribute to with time, prayer, presence, and wealth. Family that is different from our family of origin. Remember that Jesus’ family of origin came to take Him away because they heard He was out of His mind. Some of His family became part of the movement while others did not. Church should be a different kind of family; one where each person is equal and offers gifts to lift up the community of faith. It won’t be perfect, but it can be different.
Good theology means every voice is heard and every concern can be shared. Bad theology tells us to pay, pray, and obey. If you can’t find a good theology of community in your congregation, try others; they are out there, waiting to welcome you as family. Now, it’s up to you.
Prayer – Holy God, You invite us into a relationship with You and each other. Help us to be graceful to others as we see their imperfections, just as we hope they will be graceful with us. Amen.
Today’s art is part of the Art + Faith Initiative of First Presbyterian Church of Savannah, Georgia.