The Church Imprisoned

Millions within the global church face the possibility of imprisonment during their lives. This possibility becomes reality for more than we in the West ever know about. I'm grateful for organizations like VOM that help us be aware of what is happening.

The church in the West is imprisoned in a different sort of way than those who are literally behind bars in places like North Korea and the Middle East. The Western church is for the most part mired in a self-imposed imprisonment. This is a prison of its own making that it is largely unaware of, is satisfied with, and has no desire to escape.

It is an imprisonment brought on by suffocating forms and structures that keep it from being the living, vibrant, truly organic body that we see in scripture. These structures have largely been in place for many years and are thus largely unquestioned. However, they have no new covenant basis; therefore, they act as large roadblocks to the church's mission.

The church in this country does accomplish some good for Christ's kingdom. However, it could do so much more if it would realize that its man-made structures are both suffocating and imprisoning what it is trying to do. Eight structures/forms/practices stand out as part of the jail that the Western church finds itself mired in today:

1. The clergy system

The existence of the clergy creates are artificial "expert" class within the church, stifles the gifts of the "laity," and does great harm to the priesthood of all believers. Despite largely good intentions, today's pastors create more problems than they solve simply by their existence. The church would do well to jettison the idea of the clergy and instead look to one another as equals in Christ. Elders are part of the body as opposed to a different class. They lead by being godly examples of servanthood.

2. The sermon-focused gathering

Regardless of music style, most church gatherings end up focusing on the sermon. This is a lecture/speech given in monologue style from a podium on a stage, usually by someone who is part of the clergy. This practice tells the church that a small group of people have expertise that they need to share with the majority. It forces most of the people in the church into silence. It brings about passivity and captivity. On the flip side, the church benefits when it is free to hear from all. The church needs teachers, but it also needs to be taught by everyone in proper order. We must all have the Spirit-led freedom to minister to one another according to our gifts as we come together.

3. The worship service

The weekly gathering amounts to a routine religious ceremony/ritual that is largely the same every week. A few of the same people lead each week (mostly the clergy). The order is set - see the bulletin. Most of the people are silent except during pre-selected songs. Close to half the time is taken up by the clergy giving a sermon. A better way exists. Church gatherings should be Spirit-led. They are free according to his leading. When each member is expected to contribute actively it brings about a vibrancy and excitement that grows the body in Christ.

4. "Communion"

I'm describing the ceremony that the Lord's Supper has become. Instead of a joyous, full meal, communion has been transformed into a funeral-like snack. Instead of a real meal it has become symbolic. Instead of people sharing with one another while eating, the church is expected to sit quietly and dwell upon how sinful it is. Instead of being fulfilling, communion simply makes you want to get to the real lunch. The church can do so much better. Just eat together with the loaf and the cup. It's easy.

5. The tithe

The tithe is an old covenant concept that has no place in the church. Despite this, pastors preach over and over about the importance of tithing. January, I'm told, is the common month for the guilt-inducing "stewardship sermon series." This is, simply put, wrong. Instead, as the church we should be free to give without compulsion. When we see a need, we can and should give joyfully. When we give in this manner, we can take care of real needs both inside and outside the church.

6. The church building (size)

Modern church buildings are large to hold all the people. What this allows, however, is for church bodies to become too big. The large size stifles real relationships and keeps most of the people at a surface level in how they know each other. It also forces the gatherings to be ceremonies since you cannot have truly participatory gathering with hundreds of people. A better option is meeting in much smaller (and cheaper) locations. Homes are the best and cheapest. However, other relatively small locations such as store fronts are often available.

7. The church building (structure)

The physical form of most large church buildings, especially the sanctuary/worship center, is imprisoning to body life. The big room is full of pews or chairs pointed at a stage. The message is that when the church comes together the people will do a lot of quiet watching and listening. The form conveys a direct, inescapable message of passivity. We can do better. Let's sit in a circle so we can all see one another and all share with one another. It's simple.

8. Age-segregated gatherings

Sunday School classes and youth groups take children from the ones who should be their primary disciplers: their parents. Many churches even offer segregation during the worship services. This is artificial. It lets the parents off the hook. It tells the kids that someone else should teach them. It's foreign to scripture. There's a simpler and better method. The church stays together. When we gather, we're all there. It really is as simple as that.

The church in the West is imprisoned by the above forms and structures. They stifle what the church is trying to accomplish. Let us pray that God will bring about a new reformation in his church in the West. Let's hope that more and more of our brothers and sisters in Christ will throw off these fetters to live as the church we see in scripture.

I believe the church does much good. However, it can do so much more. Shedding man-created structures and walking out of prison is one of the ways this can happen.

Let's fervently pray that it does.