It seems to me this is a fundamental misunderstanding in today's church. Several years ago, I was invited to take part in helping to shift the focus of my local body. That journey has helped me to see that there are opportunities to embody the good news of the gospel in lots more places and ways than many are currently aware of. My perception is that this affiliation/adoption confusion is close to the root if the issue.
\nI'm convinced that we should start any discussion of Christian practice with the Bible. As I survey the new testament I find a few metaphors that the text uses to describe the church. The first is family, the very fact that throughout the entire Bible, God is addressed as Father is a foundational assertion of the existence of a family that extends from the one manifest in the Trinity. Second is a body, this is clearly laid out in Paul's exposition in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 that ends \"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.\" Next is a bride. Unquestionably, the book of Revelation makes it abundantly clear that the church is seen as the bride who will be wed to Christ at His second coming. These allusions all speak of deep relational bonds.
\nWhile we've touched briefly on some of the pictures the Bible paints to express the identity of the church, I can think of several that aren't found there. The narrative seems to put off the idea of the church being a political organization. Also, I don't see any reference to the church as any form of a consumer outlet. In addition, I fail to find it depicted as a sporting club or fraternity/sorority or any other type of narrow social aggregate.
\nI've shared some thoughts on what the church is called to be and what it seems called not to be. Now this has to get a little more personal. What is your view of the extended family of God? If you count yourself as a member do you approach it as family or some looser association? If you're looking at the church from an outsider perspective, does it look like a relational congregation or something much less than relational?
\nAs I'm writing this I'm reminded of a section of Hugh Halter's book Flesh. The section is entitled \"Refund Denied\" and Hugh is talking about the difficulty some of his friends have had in the process of adopting children from another country. He spends some time talking about the considerable red tape and financial hurdles that people go through in the process and then you get to this quote:
\n\n\nAs children experience this literal \"redemption\" they often lash out in anger at the loving parents who are trying to give them a new life...One close friend of mine said, \"I never thought it would be so hard to get my adopted son to believe he's actually adopted\"
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I'm led to Paul's words in Romans 8 where he says:
\n\n\nFor those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
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I hope this is encouraging you to view yourself as a child and not an affiliate. I'm not trying to say that the journey is an easy one but I'm convinced it's one worth making and that the Holy Spirit is the best companion you could ever have. If there's any way I can help you in your journey, please reach out via email. Peace and Grace to you!
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