Church: Are We Who We Say We Are?

“Church is not under attack. Christians are under a microscope. Are we who we say we are?” – Shannan Martin

Is the Church, the global family of Christians, truly offering a different sort of lifestyle, or simply offering the lifestyle of the world with different messaging?

If the Church is not under attack, why do so many Christians live as if they are on the defense, attacking others for so many things under the sun? If they will know us by our love, is it true that we’re loving each other well?

Is the Church really the body of Christ, operating as a community in the love and power of Christ? Or is it yet another ideological institution bent on converting you to their religion?

From my study, I understand Christ in his time on earth to have been a speaker of truth, a source of wisdom, a person with deep compassion who invested time – indeed invested his life – in sending a message of hope and giving physical and spiritual healing and freedom to others.

He was a refuge and a source of healing and truth for those who were seeking another way, who were seeking escape from political turmoil and physical, spiritual, and emotional injury and oppression.

Those who came to him had burdens lifted from them, a clear way to live and be, and a community of people who supported each other in this new way of life.

He did not argue with his critics, but simply stated his piece and moved on with what was important to him. He was so confident in who he was and what his mission was on earth that he did not waste time worrying about others or trying to persuade them or overcome them.

He lived his life, operated in the power of the Father, and even in the courtroom and on the cross when he was under physical attack as well as under the microscope – he did not change.

He didn’t care about fame, or a platform, or being an influencer.

Yet in his surrender, death, and resurrection: Jesus became the name above every other name; Jesus became Victory over death.

What are we then, as the Church – doing? Are we spending time blasting religious ideology, attacking others for believing differently than us and shaming them for their “sinful” lifestyles? Or are we taking time to slow down and care for what is ours, who is ours, who is around us?

Is the Church a refuge of wisdom and healing, or another institution ready to place heavy wordly burdens on those who enter its doors and join its ranks?

We have a choice as the Church, as followers of Christ. As people examine the universe closely for refuge, truth, love, healing, and community – is our Church that place? I pray it is, and I pray that the Person and the Way we believe in aligns and adjusts our identity so we can get there together.