Letters to the Church

by Francis Chan

“In so many churches the mission of the church has actually become the maintenance of the institution itself.”

I’m assuming your church’s doctrinal statement says something about every believer using his or her spiritual gifts to manifest the Holy Spirit. That’s good theology. But let me ask you this: Does your church structure convey a different theology? Does your structure demonstrate that the gift of every believer matters? Or does it suggest that only the gifts of the teaching pastor, a couple ministry leaders, and a few musicians matter? If so, you’re functioning with a heretical structure. Your heretical structure almost certainly speaks louder than your orthodox theological statement. “The theology that matters is not the theology we profess but the theology we practice.”

Buildings can limit a church’s growth. If God wants to move powerfully and save thousands, they won’t fit. Buildings also limit a church’s ability to decline. If God wants to prune the church, we won’t be able to pay the bills. If our church model requires God to work within a narrow “sweet spot,” something’s wrong.

Father, thank You for choosing us to be part of something so sacred. Forgive us for the times when our laziness weakened the Church or our pride divided her. Give us childlike faith to have an impact on the Church with Holy Spirit power. May Your Bride become attractive, devoted, and powerful beyond earthly explanation. May we each become consumed with her, all for Your glory. Keep our minds fixed on the battle, courageous and humble. Stir our affections daily so we can be found serving Your Bride faithfully when You return to judge. Amen.

This has helped me tremendously. Whenever I feel like I’m being mistreated, I start worshipping Jesus. I tell Him I am amazed by what He pulled off. Any mistreatment I have faced is an absolute joke compared to the horrors Christ endured. How on earth does an almighty Creator allow His creation to torture Him? Even as I write this, I am marveling again at His humility. Instead of beating myself up for my lack of humility, I praise Jesus for His.