128 Christian Atheist: I Believe in God But Not the Church

One of the trends happening increasingly in recent years is a reduction in church attendance. People say they believe in God, but they’re not committed to a local church.

There are many reasons for this. For some, it’s just the busyness of life. But for others, church is boring. Irrelevant. Or bad memories, old wounds, and blatant hypocrisy make them want to steer clear of church.

When you stop to think about it, who needs church anyway?  We can get all the content we need from websites, podcasts, and books.  There’s Christian radio and Christian television.  Why pour time, energy, and money into something that needlessly complicates life? 

Let me try to answer that question by going all the way back to the very first church.

In Acts 2 we read how in one day, 3000 people responded to the good news of Jesus and were baptized. Male and female…young and old… rich and poor…slave and free…they eagerly joined the family of God.

Friends, the Church is not a building; it’s not an institution; it’s not an organization; it’s not a club.  It’s a family. 

Church is not a place you go to.  Church is a family you belong to.  This building is simply a convenient place where the family can all gather together.

Acts 2:42-47 shows us several benefits that first church realized in gathering together regularly, benefits we can find as well. 

·      The joy of community

They “devoted themselves to… fellowship.” The Greek word is koinonia. It speaks of both deep partnership and deep relationship.  It describes having a group of people with whom you “do life.”

You were not merely created to know and be known, love and be loved by God; you were created to know and be known and loved and be loved by others. 

·      An opportunity for maturity

That early church also “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.”

Look for a pastor or teacher in a local church who speaks God’s Word, lives God’s Word, and contextualizes God’s Word, then “devote” yourself to learning from him/her. Make a strategic decision to prioritize that weekly time of instruction.

·      A place of ministry

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul uses the analogy of a body to describe how the church should function.  If you are a believer, then you are part of the greater body and there is a part for you to play in that body.  

You have been wired up and gifted to bring something to the body that others need.  And there are things you need that only others can provide.

Bottom line?  I need you and you need me. 

·      A vehicle for accountability

One of the greatest dangers in being a “lone wolf” Christian is the susceptibility we all have to getting off-track theologically, or morally. It’s in isolation when the Enemy’s whispers are most dangerous.

The church has been called the “bride” of Christ. Imagine how He would feel to hear us say, “Jesus, I love you, but I can’t stand your wife.” 

Jesus loves the church. He dreamed of and died to create this new community that would represent Him to the world. Who are we to deny it?

Text: Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12

Originally recorded on March 17, 2013, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.

This series is based on the book “The Christian Atheist” by Craig Groeschel.