February Read: Who Stole My Church?

I know, I know…it’s almost the middle of March and here I am writing about my read from February. Though it did take me until now to finish my February book I did finish it! And I am going to continue to stay true to my word and see if I can finish another book before March is over.

For February I chose to read the book “Who Stole My Church?” by Gordon MacDonald. The subtitle of the book helps you understand what the book is all about: “What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21^st Century.” This was a very good read that provokes a lot of thinking about how churches change. Wow – that can really be an emotional roller coaster. It seems that everyone is prepared for most things in life to change; all things besides their church. At times it may even feel like someone has stolen your church right from under you!

One of the biggest (yet a totally basic) reminders I got from reading this book was the idea of the possession of the church. Yes, we all say, “That’s my church.” But in reality it doesn’t belong to us. It is Christ’s church. We are His body. Acts 20:28 says, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood” (HCSB). What an incredible reminder! We have been purchased with the most precious of things: the blood of Jesus Christ!

Change can be so very difficult. But maybe next time something doesn’t go your way in church, or if something is going to change even though “we’ve always done it this way,” may we pause and remember that this church is not simply an organization, but a living organism – the body of the crucified and resurrected Lord, purchased with His own shed blood. May we all be prepared to be humble and submissive to the Head of the Church and to our brothers and sisters in Christ as we move forward toward greater maturity in the work of the ministry together for God’s glory.