My observation on heresy is that, they dare to think differently. Recalling the life of our Lord Jesus Christ here on earth, it must be really hard for our Lord to say and think what He has to say and think. The Old Testament's Judaism was the main stream or popular religion during Jesus time. Whether we like it or yes, Jesus spoke of God in more intimate and personal terms, such 'I in you; you in Me', 'My Father and I are One' et cetera et cetera. The Scribes of the Pharisees, Sadducees and Sanhedrin's members thought that Jesus was not speaking the same way they spoke. If Jesus is in physical person today as He was about 2000 years ago, many Christians might not accept Him today. Just simply because He is not fit into their various policy and programs. Jesus dare to think out of the box. He received sinners while the religions condemn sinners. Jesus could be consider heretic in His time by the main stream religion. But Jesus knew the Truth and that truth make Him dare to face all odds. Now let me also say something which my Master Jesus did. Dare to be different.
You might want to spank me for saying this but it is true that most of our Christian churches value some big shoots people than an ordinary human being who is just received Jesus. Further, let me add salt to the wound. A Government Officers in the church pew is much more value than an ordinary members. For instance, how do we look at a church with a bunch of government officers and rich folks and also look at the church where the members are known for their past deeds. There is nothing wrong in having a church with officers and rich folks. It is a blessing. But my argument is not about the social status of the member itself. My argument is about our perception about how we value the church according to social status of the church congregation. I would like to introduce the congregation of the Jesus fellowship. Tax collectors, sick people, practically poor, Samaritan, morally doubtful people and sinners of all kind! When people saw them, they ask what kind of fellowship is this? A bunch of sinners!
Many of our churches today are richer than Jesus fellowships in His day. We are burden by the thought of church buildings, church properties, church bank account (if any) et cetera et cetera. There is nothing wrong in building beautiful chapel for worships and you are right to think that it is the house of God. The Israelite did build a beautiful house of God. Some years back, due to communal conflict between tribal groups in Manipur, I took Jessami Road to reached Nagaland on my way to Kerala. When our bus passed through the mountain range of Ukhrul District, I saw many churches buildings at the highest point of the village and the most beautiful building was their church building. It was beautiful sight to see and really inspiring. I believe they want to make sure that the church building should be in the best place and most beautiful one. It challenged me to give my best for God. On the other hand, I also witness in some places that they build mansions for their residence but their church building roof is leaking, the walls are faded, the clock on the tower is not working, and the long list follow. Absolutely, we need to build a place of worship the best way we can. It can be a reflection of our faith, our commitment to our God. There is something wonderful about our tribal people in the Northeast India. When the gospel was preached in the village, within a short period of time, the whole village got saved. Such wonderful grace of God can seen only among the tribal hill people of Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram. Since, almost all people of the village got saved and their neighboring villages are also having almost the same condition as they are, the only priority they can think of is building the most beautiful church building. Now those were the days. As we are gradually aware of mission mandate of the body of Christ, we are to look beyond our own community, tribes, regions et cetra. This is the immediate context of the tribals of Northeast India.
Having beautiful building of worship is very wonderful thing. On the other hands, seeing the human conditions, can church continue to overlook the call for mission. The church is mindful of church building than mission today. The church is mindful of the physical structure than spiritual need. The pastors/bishops and other ecclesiastical order are mindful of keeping their assignment and to remain in the financial stable churches. Let me share my little experience I have been through in Delhi city as young minister of our Lord. My priority is to visit and pray for them. As part of my mission, I have to find a place of worship for this young people. I approached few churches and Christian institutions in the south Delhi but most of them are booked till 7pm which is very healthy signs. However, to my surprise, some of the pastors/fathers/bishops/ are hard to meet! I know it is good to have appointment and orderly system but christian should not be that strict when it comes to meeting people. Imagine, you come to God and someone in the pearly gates told you that God is super busy! Make an appointment with Peter or Paul! Common, ministers you are CEO of different kind not like of this world. Now, many churches adopted an interesting policy of just accommodating only their church members and their church alone. This is also not at all a bad policy. The priority of the ministers is always his/her flocks. Moreover, there are many cultist groups sprung up recently and we cannot even imagine our churches building are used by those groups. But on the other hand, just by looks we can't dismiss right away like a secular boss would do. Then we are no different than them. Where is our 'light and saltiness'. May be by our act of kindness and persuasion, he/she may turn from wrong to right. Oh ministers, if we are continue to looks at peoples from our eyes, we won't feel the love for the lost souls but if we try to look from eyes of God, we'll see how God sees. I feel ministers should not be dictator but counselor. And good counselor always 'listen'. If my attitude turn some poor soul away, you are in danger.
Coming back to our argument, these days many churches are turning into an powerful economical enterprise. We are concern more with tithing and offering than counting saved souls. Our church budget for building and properties are little higher than mission funds. When we get to heaven, as if there is a competition for best church building! We are more concern with investing in some profitable ventures than to spend on those who are in needs among the congregation. Yes, you might be arguing with me now that the church need to sustain and prosper. You are right, the church need resources to sustain itself. However, let me put one question here, are the church building made for the people or people made for the church building? Which is one is our priority souls or prosperity. If the church is giving church, that church will grow. When the church started to act like what the church should be doing, i.e. preaching and reaching to those in needs of gospel, our world will be much better world. When every soul is value equally, that church is a church indeed.
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