CHURCH KITS--PARTIAL ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

This morning’s sermon is called: Church Kits—partial assembly required.

 

Let us pretend  that we are not the people of Christ Church. Rather, we are a group of people, living in a different place who have no church---and we would like to start one.  So, we have called the diocese, and the diocese and their representative tells us that he has 2 different church kits to choose from:

 

The first is the “fancy church kit.”  This kit is full to the brim with all sorts of things.

·       We need lots and lots of $, because fancy churches cannot live without a river of cash, so that they can keep their churches fancy.

·       For that, you need lots and lots of people.

·       You need fancy worship, with expensive vestments, gold & silver communion ware

·       [An expensive CEO Bishop to watch over you]

·       [Lots of state of the arts electronics, so that everyone can hear & see your dazzling worship.]

·       A very complex music program, with a new state of the art pipe organ, and a paid choir of 20-30 people

·       And to house all this, you need a huge multimillion dollar stone church, with a state of the art water system, newly renovated on the inside and out.

 

So, we could choose expensive fancy church kit, or we can choose the Free church kit?  Now, this box is mostly empty.  But there are a few items in here:

·       Rock—Jesus is the rock of our salvation, and He  is the rock upon which his church, his people, are assembled.  You see, back in the days of the early church, as described in today’s readings—the church did not refer to the building.  The term church, translated from the original Greek, means “assembly.”  So, during the time when the Christian church was the most powerful, the first 3 centuries AD, there were not church buildings.  Those came later.  But the church, the people, were built on the rock---Jesus Christ, the church’s true foundation.

·       Next, the Holy Spirit—the Holy Spirit is the power of God in our day and time, which focuses in building up people to their ability to know, love, and serve God.  Too many modern churches are so obsessed with their fanciness, that they neglect the Holy Spirit.  A church without the Holy Spirit is a dead church, trying to cling to its fanciness, yet neglecting Jesus the rock and the Holy Spirit.

·       Next, of course, is the Word of God—which is God’s means of communicating to us in our day and time.

·       And finally, a sense of communion community.  Many Christian churches offer the sacrament of communion; but they lack the inclusive and warm sense of community.  The early church, as described in today’s readings, met in homes with small groups, where people gathered for bible study, friendship & prayer.  They met over dinner, and shared the communion bread and wine as part of their meal.  Consequently, they were all personal friends---but with an extra seat at the table for visitors and guests. 

 

This is the church described in our church history reading today—a church where the people were known for their love of God and one another.

 

You see, the life-beating-heart of the local church  is and always has been found in  relationships.  We are talking about real relationships where we are personally known, loved, and appreciated.

 

Now, those type of relationships are not possible in a crowd of 50 or more during Sunday worship:  Too many people; and the focus is primarily worship, not friendship.  So, Jesus modeled the right size of group where such friendships are possible—and he chose 12 or smaller. He also said that whenever 2 or 3 people gather together in His Name, that he will be present to them in a unique & wonderful way, that is different from the way he is present to a group of 2 dozen or more.

 

This is what happens in small groups.

 

Why is this important to all of us? There is an earthquake going on in church life in our country—and several things are happening.

·       One, churches without small groups are declining and dying. Large churches with small groups are growing, but large churches with small groups are declining and dying.

·       Small & medium size churches, which aspire to be fancy churches, are declining and dying, if they do not have small groups.

 

You see, institutionalized religion is no longer as popular as it once was. In the US, we have 90% of people who believe in God, and 45% who claim to be connected to a church.

·       So, religion is less important to folks; but relationships -relationships with Christ and one another—such relationships  are what many people need and want.

·       That is why CCQF has had so much success with our Small group program over the past 4 years.  Last year, 60 adults participated in our fall Small Group program; this year, 50 have signed up already; and that is about half of our yearly average  Sunday attendance. 

·       This percentage is almost unheard of. Many churches are happy if 20 or 30 % participate, but very few have 50 % or more.  Whether or not you personally choose to participate in small groups, that is one ministry which keeps our church firmly built on the rock of Jesus Christ.

 

So, please consider whether or not this vital program is for you. It could add fire to your faith and relationships, as it has for others: Would you please take out the Small group flier in your bulletin—open it up, looking at the far right section.  There are some testimonials that I would like to share with you:

 

WHAT DO I APPRECIATE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS?

·       Michelle Macisco writes, “…the sharing and the felling comfortable enough to share myself.”

·       Marilyn Stebar appreciates the seeing newcomers to our group feel accepted & welcomed; and seeing everybody praying out loud.”

·       And finally, Mr. anonymous says, “I think that this Small group has been marvelous.  I am so glad that I came.”

 

Meanwhile, let’s get back to the church kits.  Which one should we choose?  Well, ever since the Protestant reformation in the 16^th century –the Anglican Episcopal Church has offered us the opportunity of using all the riches of the free church kit, and the best of the riches of the fancy church kit.

·       You see, as long as Jesus is the foundation of our church---then we can use wonderful music, colorful vestments, and even bishops to bring glory to God and to inspire us. 

·       We believe that standing on the rock of Jesus, the riches of our Anglican tradition bring beauty, reverence, mystery, and richness to our worship, as we follow God’s command to give Him thanks and praise.

  

Thanks be to God. Amen. Alleluia!!!