The Church That Matters

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we much help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’. Acts 20:35

I heard the writing below over the weekend and really reflected on the truth in this message.  As a society, we have transitioned in so many ways. We have decided what we are interested in, what we are disinterested in, what is below us, and what is outdated in our faith.  While the message below is taken from a Unitarian Universalist pastor it could easily be repeated in many churches in present day society. I don’t know about you, but I want to be a part of a church that really matters.  Where we put value into making sure that there are opportunities for all our members and not just one or two groups.  A church where we spend time looking at where we want to go in the future, and then taking those goals and making a plan.  A church where the congregation is committed to the work that we have chosen…. and is willing to get their hands dirty. A church where we are passionate but respectful about the small disagreements, so that we can be prepared for the large disagreements – while still loving one another.  

The Church That Doesn't Matter by Kelly Weisman Asprooth-Jackson

In the church that doesn’t matter, there are no quarrels, no arguments, and no one ever says anything they regret at the meeting to discuss the sanctuary’s new paint color. There is nothing to inspire such passionate intensity because none of the decisions of the church touch anyone’s heart, and no one lives or dies by its choices, or even feels for a moment like they might. Everything is easy as pie.

In the church that doesn’t matter, no one has to ask for money, or even talk about it much: there is always enough to go around. There is always enough, because no matter how much there is, there is always less to do with it than that. The vision always shrinks to under-match the means. So canvass season is always a breeze.

In the church that doesn’t matter, no one ever disagrees with the preacher’s sermon. The music is always just fine. There is never a fight about the liturgy, not even if they do joys and sorrows (and not even if they stop doing joys and sorrows). There is never any controversy because no one ever says anything they really care about, and no one else ever seems to care. Because of this, the service is always equally inoffensive at both 9 o’clock and 11.

The sounds of children during worship, the recruitment of Sunday School teachers, the compensation of professional religious educators and the size and condition of space dedicated to religious education; none of these things are ever talked about, or thought about, in the church that doesn’t matter. Those issues just seem to take care of themselves, somehow.

No one ever has to clean up in the church that doesn’t matter. Or figure out the old electrical system, or consult the building codes, or climb a ladder. If no one bothers to make coffee on Sunday, no one complains, and if no one greets the visitors, no one seems to mind. Everything is easier in the church that doesn’t matter.

The total solution to all the frustrations of congregational life requires no consultants, manuals, or webinars. Simply avoid, at all costs, meaning and purpose and anything that might lead you to either or both. Whatever you do, do not let yourself care about the people around you, or the covenant you share.

Yet, knowing this, we still decide again and again to ask tough questions, to take real risks, to do work that needs doing, and to tell the truth. We get out of bed on Sunday morning, we answer that email, we make something imperfect but still sweet for the bake sale and we give our time and attention to a meeting every third Thursday. We ask each other how we’re doing, and mean it, we make phone calls and craft projects for the first grade class – we offer our gifts, both humble and great. And we do these things, sometimes in joy, and sometimes not in joy, because they are done in the service of a church that matters to us.

Prayer: Amazing God – help us to remember that everything we do is not joyful.  The tasks that are part of our church life must be shared by all members.  Help each member of our church community to think about the ways that they can serve the church and one another.  Help us to be passionate about the things that matter and respectful in communicating our needs.  Remind us that none of the work of the congregation should be abandoned in a church that matters to us.

Christi Moock