First, I really like Don Miller. I think his writing is deep, honest, funny, and often times profound. I am a fan, and reckon I will be for a long time.
But this week he was a bit off.
He posted on why he does not go to church (Sunday morning worship) very often. At first, I was interested in his insights. It seems masses of people feel the same way. And I was hoping for a fresh perspective on why. Don always seems good at this sort of thing.
But I was left disappointed. Some of what he said was true. But most of it was excuse, not insight. Maybe Don has spoiled me. I am used to his words bringing freshness to Jesus, to life, to the Bible. His words usually inspire me to do better, to live better. These posts seemed to feed what is lazy and cynical in me.
I understand Don’s point of view on church. But here is an alternative one:
1) Jesus went to church (synagogue). In the midst of healing lepers, eating with prostitutes, rebuking Pharisees, and saving the world… Jesus gathered for worship each week with a local community (Luke 4:16). You think if anyone could worship anywhere, or was doing God’s work already, and could afford to skip synagogue, it would be Jesus. I mean, did Jesus really need to listen to another Rabbi teach the scriptures? Yet this is what he did.
This is important to me because I want to be a disciple of Jesus. Disciples are not just students who want to know what their teacher knows. They are students who want to BE who their teacher is. So, if it was the custom of Jesus to worship weekly at the synagogue, I want to do the same in my life. I want to be like Jesus.
2) God’s Mission. One of God’s main missions throughout all of scripture is to create a community for himself. The creation of Israel (OT) and the church (NT) was at God’s initiative. In America, we tend to think individualistically about faith. But God seems to think communally. If the community of faith is important to God, I think it should be important to us. I think Don really misses God’s heart on this one.
3) False Dichotomy. Don argues that he worships (connects with) God by doing his work. That is a great point. Worship is much more than what we do on Sunday morning. But this is also a false dichotomy. Communal worship should fuel our Monday through Saturday mission/worship. And vice versa. They should not be pitted against each other.
4) Outside the Box, Inside the Church. Don argues God can work outside the church. I agree. Putting God in a box is never a good idea. He never fits. Scripture says the whole earth is his temple, and even this is too small. So sure, God can work everywhere. But that should not blind us to one very important fact:
God has always looked for special places on earth for his presence to dwell. In the Old Testament it was the Ark of the Covenant among Israel. Then it was in the person of Jesus. And after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the spirit of God was sent to fill the church. This is why the church is referred to as the temple of God. It is the community where God chooses to dwell on earth. God can work outside the church. But he desires to work in and through it.
5) Tribal or Universal Thinking. Don seems to label his critics as being tribal thinkers- people closed off to people different than them. The exact opposite is true of the church, specifically when it gathers for worship. When the local church gathers for worship, it joins with the universal church around the world. The worshipping church is the most diverse, ecclectic community in the world.
I would guess Don’s friends (his community/church) are very like-minded. This is fine. But it is our commitment to the church that engages us in a diverse, world-wide community. Or at least it should.
6) Love for Jesus. Don says a lot of people go to church out of guilt and shame. He says a lot of people feel they need to suffer to please God.
First, he is right. A lot of people probably do attend worship out of guilt and shame. And that is not a good thing, or God’s desire for us. God’s desire is that we would worship him because of love. On one hand Don is right: Don’t worship out of guilt and shame. On the other hand, the solution to this in not leaving the church. The solution is worshiping God out of love.
Of course, love does require times of sacrifice and commitment. We cannot be selfish with our relationships. Don is newly married, so I reckon he will learn this in time.
7) Today’s Church. Here is where I really wish Don would have hit a home run. He says the way we do church today is drastically different than the church described in the bible. He is right. But instead of painting a new, compelling vision for the church today, he simply makes this point to take a jab at what exists.
Don, you are right. The church has changed over 2,000 years. A lot of this was necessary and good. Some of it probably is not. But if you are frustrated with church, don’t bail on it! Become part of the solution. Tell a better story.
Your story about giving up on it would not make a good movie. We need you, and your readers, to help shape the future of the church. We are less without your participation.
And the same is true of you! Don’t give up on the church. Be the church.
