Are all churches the same?

I believe the title of today’s post is no surprise to anyone. We all, one way or the other, have either witnessed the generalization of churches, or have generalized churches. In a way, it is not a wrong concept, but in a way, also, it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Let’s start with why it isn’t entirely a wrong concept to generalize churches. In the eyes of God, the Church is the body of Christ, and Christ is the head of the body. As such, there can only be one body. You can’t have several bodies for only one head. The Church is also referred to as the bride that is to be joined in matrimony to the bridegroom. And in all instances when the Church was referred to as the bride, the ‘bride’ term was singular. This means that there is only one bride to be joined with the bridegroom. As such, the Church is one. One body, one bride, one entity. However, what people may fail to understand is that this entity or body is not a building or a place or a location. Yes, Christians (members of the Church) must meet somewhere, and as such, there is a need for a physical meeting place, but this ‘meeting place‘ is not the Church. You may call it a church (because of the age we are in), but it is not the Church – notice the capitalization used? The Church is the combination of the individual constituents of the Body, the individual constituents of the Bride – under the influence of Christ. The individual members of the Body – one with the Head. As such, the Church is the Church. It is One, it isn’t a number of things. It is the members of the Body, predestined and being conformed to the image of Christ. Are you in the Church? Are you worshiping God in truth and in spirit?

Now, concerning why generalization of churches as a single entity is wrong; just like we see in seats of power, governmental institutions and what-not, people who occupy these positions have the freedom to abuse the positions. The term ‘Governor’ or ‘Premier’ etc., is the title borne by those in-charge of states or provinces. It is the office they occupy, but is every Governor the same? No. Just like we have Governors who abide by the laws and regulations of the land, we also have Governors that are corrupt and not interested in abiding by the laws, regulations and principles of the land. So can you say that every Governor, President or Premier you have come across is ‘the same’? The idea of Church has been abused in this age. It has degenerated from the single bodily entity it was supposed to be, to a series of buildings, establishments, organizations – and many other money-making and people-controlling schemes. That is why we have so many ‘churches’ now. It is important for you to know two things. The first is that not everyone (whether it be the congregation or even the preachers) in the churches (whether it be denominational or otherwise) is in the Church. The second is that the fact that some churches are perverted, doesn’t mean that there aren’t people in it who are members of the Church. Like I said, the Church is a single entity comprised of those who are worshiping God in spirit and in truth. As such, it isn’t all churches that are in the Church.

What does this mean? Does this mean we should go about trying to find who isn’t a member of the Church around us? Does this mean we should go about trying to condemn churches, congregations or preachers? No. Why? Because it is neither your business or job to do so.

So what is the purpose of today’s information? The purpose is this; You must know that you have the responsibility to find God, yourself. It is your responsibility to ensure you are worshiping in spirit and truth. It is your responsibility to seek out people and gatherings, with whom you experience the peace, joy and life of the Lord. Not in a way of trying to condemn others, but in true thirst and hunger for the fellowship of the Body for the life and economy of Christ.