May 24, 2023

Acts 2: 43-47 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. . . . Every day they continued to meet together . . . praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (NIV)

I worship God anywhere I choose. But the assembly is for us that we might encourage each other toward greater fidelity.*

Wouldn’t you like to belong to a church where everyone was filled with awe; where signs and wonders were performed; where everyone wanted to be together every day, praising God; and where people spoke well of you? What has happened to the church today? What are we doing wrong?

The first century church was disorganized, underfunded, and persecuted. Such a mess would send most of us on a church-shopping spree, looking for a congregation that offers programming designed for everyone in the family; music that meets our high standards; and a preacher who delivers an inspiring message every week. We would also appreciate a professional-quality parking ministry and happy faces to greet us at the door; room temperature set to our liking; comfortable seating with plenty of space between us and the people next to us; and a soothing color-scheme.

The first Christians devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2: 42). And they grew. Daily. They had not been taught to expect comfort and pleasing aesthetics in the “worship center.” No one got mad and left because no childcare was provided. There were no disagreements over music – perhaps there was no music at all!

I’m not saying it’s wrong for a congregation to offer family-friendly programs and well-organized worship services in a comfortable setting. Smoke machines and laser light shows are not to my liking but I can live with them – as long as they don’t distract us from the real purpose of our assembly. The writer of Hebrews gives us a succinct summary of why we come together: to spur one another toward love and good deeds; and to encourage one another (Hebrews 10: 24, 25). How we accomplish that is our Spirit-led prerogative.

Let’s not confuse acknowledging the church’s problems with questioning the church’s validity.*