There has been a remaking of church in my lifetime. While change is inevitable, all change is not necessary or good. I struggled with a concept that at one time I could have supported. I am unsure why I entertained this definition of the purpose of the church, but I am sure of one thing; the concept of what the church does, embraced by many Christians, is actually lazy Christianity.

Lazy Christianity is a strong statement.

As in any situation where a strong statement is made, explanation is required. I am not trying to say that these Christians are intentionally lazy but rather that over time the version of church that has become popular has created a lazy expression of the responsibilities of each and every follower of Christ. We have created a one stop shopping experience akin to the online stores which do not require you to leave the comfort of your home to get everything you need to survive. With a few clicks of a mouse we are done, never having to consider whether this form of day-to-day living truly includes everything that you require.

This is not about online church.

It could be. Online church is a great way for those who cannot attend in person to still attend. Unfortunately, it can be a way for those who don’t want to leave the comfort of their home to get everything they need or at least what they think they need. With a few clicks of a mouse they are done, never having to consider whether this form of church truly includes everything that they require. But this isn’t about the potential for lazy church going by able bodied people, this is about lazy Christianity.

What was the church in the New Testament?

To put it simply, the church was and still should be the body of believers. The church gathering was a segment of the body of believers based on where the believers lived. It’s supposed to be simple, but it has become complicated. The evolution of church from the gathering of believers to pray, praise, and learn, to the hub of outreach has complicated the life of the believer and robbed them of God’s call on their lives. Church today creates lazy Christians, and we don’t often recognize it.

Is Sunday about the “seeker”, the nonbeliever?

It is now, at least in many churches. I have seen a glimmer of hope, and some change back to the church being the meeting of local members of the body of believers. Sadly, even churches that have changed are left with the lazy Christinas that were created out of the idea that we bring people to church to get them saved and lazy preaching dumbed down to appeal to the unbeliever rather than layered so it can be understood and applied to the life of the believer at any stage of their journey. I want to reiterate that I am not trying to say that these Christians (or preachers) are intentionally lazy but rather that over time the version of church that has become popular has created a lazy expression of the responsibilities of each and every follower of Christ.

The church is a place for believers to be together.

It is only the beginning of the week. It prepares us for what we might encounter throughout the week. It surrounds us with love and compassion as we address what happened the week before and it empowers us to reach the unbeliever. Yes, the unbeliever will end up in church if they are seeking to believe but that should not change the function of the church. The unbeliever in the congregation should not lessen or limit the message or the other aspects of the service but rather expand them to touch the lives of those who wish to know about God and the lives of those who have followed Him for years.

The church can do outreach, but its function is to empower the believers to be light in a dark world. The church can appeal to those who are not saved but not be excluding the growth of those who are saved. Sunday is for the believer (and other meetings throughout the week) but is open and can be helpful to the unbeliever.

What is Church Really Supposed to Be?

The place believers come to be with those who are not of this world because this world has influence all week long.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

…let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)