On this trip I have realized that there are many aspects of the American church that are not as strong as they should be. One of these things that the church is lacking is the sense of community. Yes churches do have community, but do they truly have the community that they should have, the community that the Bible talks about? If you have read Acts, you know what community I am talking about. In Acts 2:42-47 it says,
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Now ask yourself if that is what your church looks like. I’m guessing your answer is no. I know I never experienced community even close to that until this trip. My team learns together, we dig into the Bible and ask God to help us understand it more fully. We worship together and let the Spirit take over and lead us. My team prays about everything, big or small, and we pray over everyone for healing. My team is generous and selfless, letting anyone borrow anything and sharing everything. It’s amazing to be in this community, but we aren’t even close to what these people in Acts have. And I know churches in America are even farther away from that. Why is that? It’s because our worldly desires still linger in our hearts. The want to do our own thing and have control over our lives, so we set only one day aside for God. The want to have money; to live the “American Dream.” The want to provide more than enough for our family. But don’t you know that the church is your family. The men and women you see every Sunday are your brothers and sisters. Do you help them out when they are in need? You might help them out a little, but would you sell your land and possessions for them? And it’s not only the people in your church that is your family, but everyone in all the churches around the world are your brothers and sisters. I don’t know exactly how to change the American church, but I do know that it has to change. So I encourage you to try and change your church. Make it more like the church in Acts, because I know that your church does not have the community it should.
