The Church Is Not a Club

The church is the body of Christ in the world. It is to be a light unto the world bringing the gospel and living out its faith into the world.

Too often the church functions as a social club. This or that member is highly regarded because of the parties they throw or the social events they run. In a sense all of these things are good and well.

Good hospitality is an important part of the church. But too often hospitality begins to trump truth and reality in churches. You find hospitality which strains couples and their relationships.

I have seen more than one prominent figure in a church constantly throwing church social events seemly at the expense of their spouse. It is rare that the spouse so much indicates the fact, but you can sense that there is a strong imposition on them.

It is often those in the church who offer hospitality that are pushed into prominent positions such as eldership and deaconship or this or that committee. The issue of course is that the church often begins to judge members on who is a great event runner in the church rather than who is faithful to the teaching of God and Christian living.

There is of course a difference. Many people in the church who offer hospitality consistently are faithful to the teaching of God. But this is not always the case. It is not uncommon to see people engaged in a large amount of hospitality in the church who are spiritually bankrupt.

They throw great parties and events but if you speak to them about spiritual topics they have not the slightest clue of the Christian religion. Their gift is ultimately not a spiritual gift but a worldly one.

The church does well to realize its mission is a spiritual mission and judge accordingly. Not all that shines is gold.