My thoughts about church

I don't like church.

This is a realization that has been coming for several years. The normal, modern-day way of doing church has grown more and more distasteful to me over time.

I don't like how it feels like almost everyone there is the "audience" instead of real participants. I very much prefer a comfortable, laid-back setting where everyone can participate and get to know each other.

I don't like the idea of "getting people to come to us" (in other words, get people to come to church on Sundays). While I absolutely want to reach out to people who have been hurt by Christians in the past, or people who are in a difficult situation, or people who are bitter toward the church, convincing those people to show up at church is not how I want to do it. It seems to me that if you are a person who has been hurt by Christians or if you're bitter toward the church, the last thing you're going to be receptive to is yet another Christian coming along and trying to talk you into coming to yet another church service at yet another church.

I really believe the best way of reaching people is to go to them-- not with the intention of trying to get them to come to your church on Sunday morning, not with the intention of "winning them to the Lord" (a cliche term that I don't much like), but with the intention of forming a real, honest relationship with them. Getting to know them, talking with them, eating with them, helping them when they're in need, building an authentic relationship, loving them without hesitation. That's what Jesus did, and that's what I want to do.

As far as believers meeting together, I'm all for it, but not in a traditional church setting. I love the idea of a house church, or something else equally laid-back like a coffee shop or a park. I love the idea of people getting together, eating dinner and catching up on each other's lives, then sitting down together to read the Bible, talk about how God has been working in their lives, share their struggles, pray together, worship together. Rather than one person standing up in front of the "audience" delivering a message, or a couple of people standing up to lead worship, I like the idea of everyone participating together. Sitting around a room together, sipping coffee or tea, talking about God and growing together.

And, very central to this vision, is the idea I talked about above, of going out into the community. Volunteering, giving of our time and love, building relationships with people who are struggling with various things, loving our neighbors as ourselves.

This, to me, is the ideal "church." It's not a concrete place, day, time. It's a way of living and loving, seeking to grow spiritually and build relationships with people who are hurting.