First off, this title is not intended as a theological discussion. Maybe the title should be "Where is the church?" It has played a large roll in my life, so I'd like to share a few reflections on its importance.
We believe the church was established to carry on the work of Christ that he started while on earth. Some see the church only as a building. In reality, it is the believers worshiping in that structure that makes the church an effective, or ineffective, force. This fellowship of believers are called to minister to the needs of others and preach salvation to those that are lost in sin.
The church has always been a part of my family. As I aged, it became the focal point of my life, next to family. I was thankful for being brought up by God-fearing parents, even though I didn't agree on some of their conservative viewpoints. Through the church, I met many friends. We didn't have CHIC or mission trips in those days, but I did enjoy going to Senior High Camp each summer. The most important decision I made was at summer camp. There I decided to go the "Jesus Way" for the rest of my life. The decision wasn't due to any spectacular event or urging. Rather, I saw the need for some life direction that I felt only Christ could give. It was a faith commitment, one that was supported by many adults that gave me help along the way. Where was the church? It was the focal point of my existence, learning, and living life with a purpose.
Our family experienced tragedy in 1998 with the death of our Sarah from complications related to childbirth. We had no immediate relatives in the area to lean on. Pastor Dave was at our side within an hour after we received the news. Close Christian friends came over and there were calls and visits from our church members. Where was the church? It was there for us through deeds and prayers to help us in this difficult time in our lives.
The town of Littleton, Colorado, is now recognized by the whole nation. It was familiar to us as the place where our Sarah and husband, Chris, had established their first home. It is located on the Southern edge of the Denver metropolitan area. It is basically an area of new homes with an affluent family stile of living. But the Columbine High School shootings made the residents and the country aware that all was not socially well. Here were students that had access to the best high school education. Their athletic teams were at the top competitive level in most sports (Columbine H.S. won the Colorado State football title last fall.) How could such an unthinkable act happen in such an ideal situation? As we read of the unmerciful killings by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, was there much said about religious upbringing? Where was the church? Did it fail to make itself known in the lives of these two families? It apparently did not have an influence. While there is no absolute guarantee that church involvement could have prevented this tragedy, still you cannot help but wonder if Christian upbringing and influence could have made things different.
I attended a Sunday morning worship service at the Arvada (Denver) Covenant Church this past spring. Pastor Wes Swanson preached a sermon that gave me a different perspective of the church. He emphasized it is a place we come to heal sick souls. He emphasized that membership is not to acknowledge we have achieved perfection in Christ. We come to worship and uplift one another. The church is a hospital that God uses to heal those in need. Where was the church? It is a refuge available for weary people seeking love and help in facing life's problems.
Jean and I have also attended the Centennial Covenant Church in Littleton (Gordy and Bev Halverson are now active there.) An article in the April issue of the Covenant Companion described that church's involvement in the Columbine shootings. A member of the youth group lost her best friend, the youth pastor was immediately involved in counseling, and a member, a trauma surgeon, worked on several wounded students. Where was the church? It sought to minister to those who found themselves in unforgettable and life changing situations. Does this speak to your heart that the ministry of our church is just as important?
Rev. Steve Thulson is the senior pastor of the Centennial Covenant Church. In his morning service several months ago, he read the following. It is a paradox written by a Columbine H.S. student shortly after the tragedy. It's called the "Paradox of Life," and, in a sense, is an indictment of modern society:
The paradox of our time in history is that
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
We spend more, but we have less;
We buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses, and smaller families;
More conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicine, but less wellness.
We have multiplied our possessions,
but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom,
and hate too often.
We've learned to make a living, but not a life;
We've added years to life, but not life to our years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet
the new neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul;
We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We have higher incomes, but lower morals;
We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are times of tall men, and short character;
Steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
More leisure, but less fun;
More kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, and more divorce;
Of fancier houses, but broken homes.
It is a time when there is too much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom;
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
and a time when you can either choose to make a difference--or just hit "delete."
May our calling as Christians make a difference in those we come in contact with each day. Never use the "delete" key!
