Visit another church for a change

We have been privileged over the years to visit different churches in three continents from those who meet under palm branches in Uganda to slick mega churches in the States. We’ve been to seemingly insignificant, tiny churches to the big churches of the famous.

This weekend we visited another church, new to us, in a town north of Boston in USA. It was a wonderful expression of the local Body of Christ faithfully meeting and worshipping together, learning from the Word and with a great desire to see souls saved both at home and abroad.

I love the sheer diversity of the Body of Christ which should not depress or discourage us.  Rather it should be a source of encouragement. Unfortunately too often though this diversity opens up opportunities for division.  But God loves diversity. 

Every one of the 7.3 billion people on the planet is unique. There is no one like them and never has been and never will.  Creation is an endless tableau of diversity with an eye watering collection of animals, birds, insects, fish, reptiles and bugs from the massive to the tiny in every colour and shape imaginable.  From the largest elephant to the amoeba the Creator’s love for things that are different, unique and incredible is absolutely mind blowing.

I don’t believe that God is shocked or disappointed by the different churches but what he does require of his people is to love one another despite our differences.

Jesus said ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ John 13: 35

The problem seems to be that instead of celebrating the different emphases and ways of worship, there is a tendency to criticize the differences.  No church has the monopoly on the truth and the right way to do things and no church is perfect because it is full of imperfect people. Even with those whose theology we may fundamentally disagree with and maybe with good reason they do not deserve vitriol or Crusader or Inquisition style condemnation. People will not change because the truth is screamed at them. They will change and respond to the truth shared in love. They may also have some things to teach others. 

I think one of the most encouraging things over the last 10 years has been a genuine desire by Christians to work with those from different denominations and movements to see the Kingdom advance. You see we are not called to build the church. That is Jesus’s job (Matthew 16: 18). What we should be doing is going out into all the world with the Gospel to make disciples and see the Kingdom of God grow and flourish.

History itself is a good indicator that when churches lay aside their differences and work together with this aim, the Kingdom goes forward and the world is impacted by the Gospel and the unity that the Church shows.

Visiting other churches is a wonderful way to broaden our horizons.  I am not talking about church hopping with no commitment to a local church but an occasional visit to another church whether locally or further afield. It helps us see the bigger picture. It stops any sense of isolation and especially pride that our way is the best way. It helps us value and appreciate others and forges relationships that build unity.

If you haven’t visited another church in a while, why not give it a go?