Why Church?

by Mark Tidsworth, Founder and Team Leader

Because when it happens, there is such a deep, abiding satisfaction and joy.

This doesn’t happen all the time. Over the last couple years perhaps it’s happened less often. That’s part of what made a recent Sunday worship gathering exceptional.

While I was there, participating with the church gathered, church happened.

My small self was challenged, confronted even, with the counter-cultural Way of Jesus.

During the Bible Study hour, our focus was the second chapter of James wherein James challenges how we relate to people with economic resources and those without. The teacher, one who works full time for the local food assistance non-profit, articulated many of the popular attitudes circulating in our culture regarding the poor. Then he held up the spiritual guidance from the book of James, calling us to reflect on how aligned our perspectives are with scripture. Ouch. Interestingly, I noticed how animated, lively, and energized our conversation became. Afterwards, I had the sense that something spiritual happened. We were engaging in honest conversation about how the gospel intersects with our community along with our part of that drama. Though uncomfortable in a way, I knew we were gathering around the Way of Jesus.

While I was there, participating with the church gathered, church happened.

Community broke out. People were hugged. People were noticed and seen. After a challenging week of traveling all over and interacting with many new-to-me-people, being with a group, a community in which I’m known, is so valuable. As we interacted with each other, it was clear these people know each other, building on previous stored experiences. This church isn’t perfect, experiencing its share of pain and struggle. Yet, perhaps this church is like others, having formed a web of relational experiences that now provide a kind of support for the present. When the church gathers, it becomes for many of us in this distanced culture, a community in which we know and are known.

While I was there, participating with the church gathered, church happened.

When we are church together, sometimes we have the sense we are part of something ancient and enduring in this transient world. The Sunday of which I speak happened to be the fiftieth anniversary celebration. A former pastor who I didn’t know was on hand, engaging in a dialogue sermon with the current interim pastor. The stories were humorous, rich, and moving. Later, communion happened. As I took it in… an old pastor now in his 80s who could still participate in worship leadership, an interim pastor helping this church transition, former members who now live elsewhere, and the body and blood of Christ our Lord… I realized I was part of something ancient and enduring, giving a depth to my one transient life here on planet earth.

So, church leaders, I know plenty of you are tired and sometimes despairing about the church’s present and future. But church leaders, when church happens, it’s a beautiful thing. When we are out of touch with the wonder and mystery of the gospel, we can lose heart, despairing about church. But when church finds us again, we realize the body of Christ here on earth feeds us like nothing else. Sometimes, when we are there, participating with the church gathered, church happens. Thanks be to God indeed.