Clurch?

definition: A Church stresses the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, personal conversion experiences, Scripture as the sole basis for faith, and active evangelism.

definition: A social club may be a group of people or the place where they meet, generally formed around a common interest, occupation, or activity.

I found myself asking this question recently. What is the real difference between a well run club, and an evangelical church? In a sense there is little difference. Each have a group of people who are interested in being together, united in a common subject or belief. Members, for the most part, will get along nicely with each other and will even meet up outwith the confines of the weekly gathering.

But note the BIG difference that the church has, and no other club can have and that’s the importance of preaching, teaching, telling the way of Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Some clubs are indeed good organisations, eg slimming clubs, keep fit clubs, camera clubs, lunch clubs, drama clubs, book clubs, and even glee clubs. However there is no way that a club will try to become a church. It wouldn’t fit or work, and clubs know this, because they’re savvy.

Why then, should a church want to become, or act like a club? I know some of the arguments for being inclusive in the community, and that we (the church) must try to be more relevant to get interest aroused, and increase attendance. Yes, numbers. I suppose that’s what it is mostly about. Which begs the question: What do you think is the church’s purpose? It’s a very good question, and one that brings different answers. The following verses are true at a personal, as well as a corporate church level.

Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure heap; it is thrown out. Luke14:34,35NIV