What if...

Today, millions of people are on their way to "church" to be spectators. Imagine how powerful and life-changing it would be if those millions were engaging in biblical church? How it would literally and fundamentally change the world.

Why do we choose to be spectators- and are ok with that? Why do we simply settle for a show every Sunday over being actively part of something that is life-changing and world-changing?

Because "church" since the 3rd century has been structured to be a spectator sport where the chosen few entertain the passive many.

Before Constantine there were no church buildings, no clergy, no worship leaders, no youth programs, no choirs and no separation of the body into "the called few" and "everyone else". Church was a community within a city where groups of people met in houses and where everyone was engaged in worship, praise, encouragement, prayer, sharing a meal and caring for one another like family. Jew, Gentile, rich, poor all coming together as a family to love God and love one another with everything they had.

When scripture speaks of the "church in Jerusalem" or the "church in Corinth" it is speaking about a network of home gatherings- not a building. These home churches on occasion would meet corporately at times (the church is Jerusalem would corporately gather at times to discuss matters at the temple, specifically Solomon's Porch) but otherwise it was a collection of "family gatherings".

It was revolutionary- and it changed lives. Fundamental change, not superficial.

Unlike the religious systems of the day (and today), the 1st-2nd century "Jesus Movement" had no temple, no priesthood, no ritual/rites because every Jesus follower was a "temple" and a "royal priesthood". God did away with the old religious systems through Jesus- represented by the curtain in the Holy of Holies being split and the temple being destroyed in 70 AD. 

We didn't have to do a pilgrimage to a geographic location or have a elite, specialized class of priest to interact with God- through Jesus it became mobile and viral as each follower was both temple and priest. God came to us, every one of us, and is available to all who believe- not just a select few who are "called".

We were meant to be more than spectators- we were meant for great things. We have settled for a pale, unbiblical substitute.

It's time we start evaluating what "church" is and have a frank, honest discussion about all the unbiblical, unnecessary man-made traditions that have been heaped on the church for centuries. We need to get back to being a family again, active and engaged, following the examples Jesus and the early church gave us.

Let's start having that discussion now!