Good question!
I could have pretended that these thoughts were my own. However, the rest of the staff team will know (if they read this!) that they come from a book we’ve been reading together: Gospel DNA – Apostolic ministry values for today by Richard Coekin.
In one chapter, he points out how the Lord Jesus Christ cares for each local church, not merely for the church in general (and sometimes in rather vague terms). Every church belongs to him; he calls it “my church”. Every church is built by him; he promises that “I will build my church”. Every church is founded upon the gospel about Jesus; he says that “on this rock I will build my church.” Every church is preserved by Jesus; he reassures us that “the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (quotations from Matthew 16:18). Isn’t that fantastic news, to know that Jesus is so committed to our church?
Richard concludes the chapter with this searching question: “How healthy would your church be if everyone else shared your level of attendance, giving, love, commitment and prayerfulness?” What a good question! We all want to be part of a healthy church, I assume. This encourages us to think of the part we play in making and keeping our church healthy. Speaking for myself, I’m paid money to do many of these things… but how is my love and prayerfulness? Where, I wonder, does this question speak to you?