Think Deeply About the Church
Years ago, one of our bathrooms was particularly “stenchy.” (Total transparency happening right now, folks.) We used all the sprays and candles. We searched for the source of the weird odor. There was a tiny leak, but it didn’t seem to be the culprit. The smell got worse, so we finally called a plumber who informed us that the seal under the toilet had worn out and the smells were coming back up.
Forgive my stinky example, but we think about church like we think about our plumbing. We don’t think about our plumbing until the house smells like sewage or water is spraying everywhere. Similarly, we don’t think deeply about the Church until problems arise. Do you think deeply about the Church?
I’m more eager to meditate on God’s attributes, the gospel, marriage and parenting, and suffering well than I am to meditate on the Church. Perhaps we don’t think about it because we’re confident in what we already know, or we think it’s the job of the pastors to think deeply about the Church because they’re leading it. Yet the Bible teaches that we need to learn about the Church (and our local churches!).
Here’s some good news: we don’t have to wait for something to go awry with the Church to get us to think deeply about it. We can do it now.
“The Church is God’s treasure, flock, family, royal priesthood, temple, holy nation, and citizens of his eternal kingdom. The Church displays God’s manifold, multi-faceted wisdom. The Church matters to Jesus because he redeemed and purified her with his blood.”
GOD HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE CHURCH
Have you ever considered who were the recipients of most New Testament letters? While a few of the epistles were written to leaders like Timothy and Titus, the majority were to entire local churches. And not just to the elders, but to the whole church! Author Erin Wheeler writes, “God doesn’t save men and women into the world. God saves men and women in churches. Gospel work in the hearts of God’s people creates a real, tangible community, a family, a body. The gospel is church-shaped.”
The Church is God’s treasure, flock, family, royal priesthood, temple, holy nation, and citizens of his eternal kingdom. The Church displays God's manifold, multi-faceted wisdom (Eph. 3:10). The Church matters to Jesus because he redeemed and purified her with his blood. Everyone united to Christ is called to be concerned with his Bride and Body. This means us, too! Just as God desired for women in the early Church to have a solid theology of the church, he desires the same for us today.
THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH IS FOR ALL GOD’S PEOPLE
There was a woman who thought deeply about her local church’s purpose and practices. Priscilla had an incredible grasp of God’s love and design for the church. She left a “gospel legacy.” I love how author Natalie Brand says, “Priscilla’s gift to the church is her rock-solid doctrine. Because of this, she gave an up-and-coming preacher and the precious newly formed church, her protection.”
Not only was the apostle Paul thankful for her and her husband, “but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well” (Rom. 16:3). Acts also records Priscilla and her husband pulling the very gifted teacher, Apollos, aside to explain “the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24-26). We have an excellent role model in our sister, Priscilla. Her study and thoughtfulness of God’s words protected the very churches we trace our spiritual lineage from, dear sisters.
PROTECT AND PROCLAIM
One of my favorite descriptions of the Church is found in 1 Timothy 3:14–15. Paul is writing to Timothy so he could “know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”
Of this verse, one theologian said that the purpose of the Church is two-fold. First, she is to uphold the truth of the gospel, defending and supporting it like a buttress holding up a wall. Secondly, she is to proclaim the truth, holding out the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ so he can be seen by all, much like the giant ancient pillars visible from far away. Just as Jesus said, we are the light of the world, and a city on a hill cannot be hidden.
We must give thought to the Church because all of us play a vital role in protecting and proclaiming God’s truth. Not just the leaders. With our words and lives, we uphold and hold out gospel truth to those inside and outside our churches.
“If we elevate the perks of the church over the purpose, we make the church about us and suffer mission drift. When the people in our pews are more concerned with ‘what we get out of it’ rather than ‘why we exist, we are in a state of amnesia.”
CONFUSING BLESSINGS FOR PURPOSE
Why do I write all of this? Because it’s easy to confuse the blessings of the Church with her purpose. Being part of Christ’s household comes with so many wonderful benefits. In the local church, we have spiritual family, opportunities to use God’s grace gifts, good teaching, kids’ activities, events to attend, music, people to help us grow spiritually, and so much more. These are all gifts to be grateful for. But if we elevate the perks of the church over the purpose, we make the church about us and suffer mission drift. When the people in our pews are more concerned with “what we get out of it” rather than “why we exist,” we are in a state of amnesia.
When I read those New Testament letters, I hear the Good Shepherd’s voice calling the Church to remember who she is here on earth—we are the pillar and foundation of truth, a display of the gospel and glory of Jesus Christ. We are here to protect and proclaim the truth. And as we do, all other blessings will be added to us.
Sisters, don’t think about the Church like we think about the plumbing. Scripture calls us to think deeply about the Church for God’s glory, our joy, and the joy of others. Set aside time to study and meditate on what the Church is, her purpose, and her responsibilities. Read the New Testament epistles, remembering that they belong to entire congregations. Even better, read these letters with other sisters in your church! Pray together for your church, its leaders, members, and work. Pray that your church would be a Spirit-led light and that by God’s grace, you’d continue to be a pillar and foundation of truth wherever he has deployed you.
RESOURCES ON THE CHURCH
IMPORTANT NOTE
Journeywomen articles are intended to serve as a springboard for continued study in the context of your local church. While we carefully select writers each week, articles shared on the Journeywomen website do not imply Journeywomen's endorsement of all writings and positions of the authors or any other resources mentioned.
