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How do you build a perfect church?

I wrestle with this issue so much not only because of the profound disconnect between my reality and what I see in Scripture, but because one of the necessary outcomes of a good spiritual coaching process is some kind of a church. It does no good to rail against the church for its flaws – the …
By Seth Barnes

I wrestle with this issue so much not only because of the profound disconnect between my reality and what I see in Scripture, but because one of the necessary outcomes of a good spiritual coaching process is some kind of a church.
It does no good to rail against the church for its flaws – the church is simply the corporate expression of what God is doing in us as flawed individuals. We may feel Sunday morning angst, but being a lone ranger is not a scriptural option – the body of Christ finds its expression as spiritual gifts find their expression corporately. So, like it or not, we’ve got figure out how we’re going to do this thing we do together as Jesus-followers. It would be so much easier if we could just buy one of those made-in-America inflatable churches and be happy.

Most churches today begin from a non-biblical model – a pastor-centered church. We don’t see that in scripture. The Bible gives us directions for developing a body of Christ in Ephesians. Ephesians 2:19-20 says, “God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service.”

1 Corinthians 12:28 reinforces this, “And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers…(and he lists five other gifts).

What are we to do?

Many of us are in churches that not only are imperfect, they are based on a nonbiblical model. The typical response of Christians to such models is resignation or a critical spirit. Rather than curse the darkness, however, a better response is to embrace the biblical model and ask God what He wants to do through you to create such a body. Rather than fall back into cynicism, God wants you to look at what could be and ask the question, “Why?”

Why can’t church be a place where we are encouraged to grow in our giftings?

Why can’t I be taught and regularly challenged to grow?

Why can’t church produce mature believers?

Why doesn’t my church reach out redemptively to its community?

Why can’t church be a place where we see the power of God?

Why can’t I feel loved and accepted for who I am in church?

Why can’t I belong to a group of people who want to impact the world for Christ?

Why can’t I be a part of a body that prays?

Why can’t I realize my destiny in Christ through my local body?

Many of us will wander through this life never once connecting to a body of Christ that asks “Why?” Those of us who do mustn’t settle for nonbiblical models. And as we continue seeking for a better mousetrap, we will reach out in faith and obedience, asking the Lord to create His Church as He intended through us.

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