I have begun hearing people say that they “watched church” on Sunday. And while I certainly know what this means… I’m beginning to wonder if it is really even possible. Before you halt reading I want to give a disclaimer and an explanation.
Disclaimer
I understand that their are real existential threats to some people regarding Covid-19. I understand that there are some whose medical condition is such that staying home and staying safe is a wise and warranted course of action. I also understand that to some there is either no threat or no perceived threat from Covid-19. Nothing about what I am writing today is about what you should do concerning Covid. I am merely writing to help us understand what the church is and how we should interact, at least under normal circumstances.
Explanation
Let me share with you some phrases I have never heard…
“I watched Boy Scouts today”
“I watched Chamber of Commerce today”
“I watched Costco today”
Hopefully you get the point. These organizations are something to which you interact and belong. They are not merely performances to be enjoyed. They require membership, dues, involvement, participation etc.
Conversely, this language does fit with things we merely watch as spectators…
“I watched the Seahawks today” (Raiders would be better!)
“I watched Hamilton today” (It’s on Disney+)
“I watched Mary Poppins today”
Things we use to entertain, study, consume, etc… these are easily said to be watched. But when we belong and participate we begin to talk about things differently. We participate, belong, enjoy, etc.
What is a church?
Knowing what language to use is determined by what something is and how I relate to it.
The church is not presented to us in Scripture as an organization, thought there are certainly organizational elements to it. Scripture presents us with the truth that the church is an organism. The church is not a bunch of individuals who are placed into rooms, buildings, classes, groups, whatever. That would be an organization. A church is a local body (that’s organism language) of people who have trusted in the death and resurrection of Jesus for their forgiveness and freedom from sin who are connected in vital relationships with a distinctly spiritual thrust.
Therefore…a church is not a building, location, or performance but rather the people who gather in those places to do those things.
Church as performance
For those of us who are familiar with the church this might sound strange. But let me see if I can help you understand. When you go to a play, or watch Hamilton on Disney+, there are several components necessary to a successful performance. While there are more, I’d like to share 3.
The Players
The Director oversees the performers in such a way as to produce a play that is meaningful and enjoyable.
The Actors are the ones who actually participate in the performance.
The Audience are those who watch and critique the show, either approvingly or disapprovingly.
The Wrong View of Church
God is the Director- instructing all of the people what to do. (No doubt God is the author of all things, but hand in with me on this analogy)
Pastors and Musicians are the Performers- they are, after all, on stage playing instruments and speaking.
The People are the Audience- watching and enjoying the show and criticizing if they didn’t get what they paid for.
The Right View of Church
Pastors and Musicians are the Directors- who use the script God has given us, His Word, to direct the performers in Worship (the play).
The People are the Performers- who live, act, worship, “perform” the script according to how God has given it.
God is the Audience- Who watches and enjoys our worship for His glory (and maybe even approvingly or disapprovingly according to our conformity to the script-His Word)
Conclusion
You might watch a church service, but if you have repented of your sin in trust of Jesus Christ as your sole sufficiency before God, then you ARE the church. How we worship matters. God has called us into his Body—the church—where worship Him.
If you are separated from the church right now for health reasons, I am praying for you and I am looking forward with great anticipation to a time when we can be together.
If you are separated from the church simply because it’s more convenient to “watch church” than gather with God’s people… then I pray that you will joyfully join the celebration of God in worship this Sunday with the local church to which you belong.