Sunday, May 1, 2016

Church?

As I read the Gospels, it appears that Jesus went to "church", which would have been the Temple, Synagogue, etc. at least three times.  When he was twelve and his parents had to come back to get him.  When he read the scripture in Nazareth, his hometown. When he cleared the money changers and animal sellers from the Temple.  It appears that whenever Jesus went to Church, he got in trouble.  Perhaps, this says more about what we say and do at Church, than it says about Church.  Jesus didn't seem to say much about the Church as buildings, programs, finances, community influences, social ministries, etc.  I've been involved in Church all of my life as a child, teenager and a Pastor for 21 years.  Perhaps a better image of "Church" is to consider what Jesus said and did along with the disciples as they walked, talked and met folks.  They related to everyone and anyone. They appeared to not do so well with the religious folks who were in positions of authority and influence.  They met people wherever the people were.  They didn't seem to expect people to come and find them.  They also told stories that were about life's circumstances but left you thinking "there's something more in that story.".  They practiced acceptance of everyone and pronounced forgiveness.  I overheard a person wonder if Jesus were to come back would he come to their church.  I wonder if Jesus were to come back, would he even go to church or would he just walk the streets of our cities?

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