The More We See by Joseph Seger

New experiences and endeavors can help us see things we did not see before we took that step. Taking action forces us into new positions and literally re-frames our perspectives. These can happen at any moment and most often in big decisions.

We recently bought a house, one you might call a fixer-upper. Did you know that remodeling does not just happen? Those commercial breaks on tv between the walk through and the work cover up A LOT of work. I have not seen any buses come to hide an hour-long makeover. Living during a remodel in real time comes with an unending list of ‘oh yeah, that too’ projects.

We knew we were committing to a lot of work when we finally closed on the home. We shared the good news, and those who heard were excited for us. Our church community offered to come alongside our new endeavor. Steadfastly we, along with a wonderful community of co-laborers started moving walls, ripping up flooring, and painting everything. We were blessed as that same community rallied to get us moved. Still, the blessings continue, but the list seems to just grow longer.

This is not a surprise, just another reminder we are in the middle of a long journey towards a distant destination with unforeseen bends in the path. Life has taught us again and again – not all will be easy. Not all will go as planned. When we finally arrive at the moment we had dreamed of (or dreamed past) we begin to see more than what we originally perceived. This happens when we finally decide to clean a room – picking up some things helps us see the many things we have long neglected, moving one item helps us notice the dust and debris behind. It happens when we pick up a new discipline – the skill which seemed so simple reveals deeper complexities which need hours of practice to master. It also happens when we begin to think about the church.

Is the Church a Fortress, a Hospital, or Something More?

The beautiful bride of Christ has been around for millennia in many different forms and places. The church has been and should be a gathering place for people of the good news who are formed to go forth spreading this news of the Kingdom in word and deed. The good news of the arrival of God’s Kingdom has been advancing since Jesus first announced it at the beginning of his ministry, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Mat 4:17)

We hear of miracles throughout the gospels, in the lives of new converts, and in Acts’ account of the kingdom’s growth to new lands. Hundreds of years have passed. Stories of Kingdom lives well-lived lift up our hearts with inspiration for what could be. But, we still see just as many local churches struggling as we see thriving. Pain and division seem to be alive and well in the body of Christ that is supposed to bring unity in Jesus. Questions and criticism abound. How has the Kingdom lost ground? Where is the wide-spread renewal? Who will bear Christ’s light in the dark spaces? And if this really is good news, why has not this good news remained good for all?

The church and its critics have gone back and forth throughout history. Anecdotes give us both inspiring examples and tales of failure, reasons for hope and crushing data. Here is one way the conversation has gone:

As some of the evidence piles up and critics cry out, “The church is only a fortress for the saints! The light may shine brightly inside, but it is inaccessible and rarely ventures across the moat of sanctimonious separation to the world’s deepest needs. It has gotten caught up in political tribalism, established wealth, and positional power. The church has cashed in its historic good will for fortified, and now distant, influence. It knows nothing of and cannot relate to what is really happening in the world.”

“But that’s not us,” the church cries back. “We are not a fortress for the saints, but rather a hospital for the sinners. Look around, hurting people have come to churches and got well. It may take time, but they are redeemed by the grace of Jesus. Just listen to the latest testimony. Besides, we offer many spaces for this and that group to gather. We are constantly growing our efforts to ensure more and more are able to come and be healed. All are invited to come in, get well, and join.”

Perhaps you can imagine the back and forth. Perhaps you have been in that back and forth. I think we all risk missing the point as we engage in the debate. What if we took time to look closer and see the deeper rhythms rather than defend or attack what God has already established?

What Is the Church Called to Do?

Both of these imagined yet common cries miss the fullness of the mission and good news God offered and still offers. They both focus on the location, building, structure, and localized perception of the church rather than the Kingdom life stunningly available to all.

Maybe one simple re-frame can help us see how it can be shifted.

“Yes, it’s sad but true some churches have feared the world and cut themselves off from their communities. I am so sorry this has been your experience. Jesus calls us to more than hiding in the refuge God offers.”

“And yes, the church can and does help sinners heal. We follow the great Physician. It is indeed good to gather, but God also calls us to scatter.”

Mission, Evangelism, and Discipleship: The Church as a MED School

“The church should never be a fortress nor merely a hospital. Rather it can be a MED School. Hurt people are indeed healed by God’s grace. They are to also be trained in the ways of the Master so they too can heal others. Healed people are often the best suited to heal other hurt people. This can happen in any church where Mission, Evangelism, and Disciple-making centers upon all of the life and activity of Jesus. Mission – being the called out people of God for the world so that God’s Kingdom may expand (the church does not have a mission… it is the mission of God). Evangelism – ensuring the work of every area is indeed good news for both those within the community and those still watching… and then sharing it freely. Disciple-making – aiming all events, meetings, and happenings upon drawing people closer to Jesus. Keeping M.E.D. at the center of all we do keeps us focused on God’s advancing Kingdom and His call on our lives. Or to use the metaphor, the church heals and trains the hurting, sick and lost so that they can be made whole in Jesus and equipped to go forth and continue the work throughout the world.”

Reclaiming the Priesthood of All Believers for Kingdom Mission

This is something we have fallen short of in recent centuries. God calls all of us, not just the clergy, evangelists and missionaries. He calls the righteous and the sinner, the hurting and the healed, the student and the master to do the works prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10). The good news of our calling needs to be proclaimed. The church is not a location. It is a movement of God. We get to be part of the expanding Kingdom – even if it kills us. Or as John Wesley calls people to commit in his covenant prayer:

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

The Church Gathers, Heals, Trains, and Sends

God calls us to live out good news lives. We need each other in the church to do it well. If we could again focus on the totality of seeking, healing, training, and sending, the church would have a fuller witness in the world. Healed and trained, we can be sent back into the world to set-up more MED schools. And with communities healing, we can cease our debates and live in God’s shalom.

Many years ago the house we were in was in good condition. The paint was fresh, the landscaping clean, the cabinets unscuffed. If it would have been attended to years back, it would not have needed the seemingly unending work we find ourselves in today. Yet, when I re-frame the unending list, the work is worth it. Every hour, nail, brushstroke, and drop of sweat continues to create a space for my family to live, to have a home and space to welcome our neighbors. We may not be done with the remodeling, but we do have community… and there is good work done in our conversations even if the work continues.

So too with the Church. As imperfect as it may seem at times, it still is God’s plan for the world. Our attention to making it a place where Kingdom Work, Good News, and Following Jesus is the norm is worth it. May we find more MED school churches sending MED disciples into the world. These are the outposts of the expanding Kingdom offering good news for a world looking for a better story. I pray all will see more of God’s good work in the days to come.