How do you view the church? In a world that has a plethora of wrong views and misunderstandings about the church, what is the church to you? In a way, many of these views contain a sliver of the big picture … but none of them has a complete picture. Is it a hospital? A social club? An army base?
There is the old proverb of a group of blind men describing an elephant. Each of them approaches the majestic animal and uses the senses, mostly touch, to explore it.
Is the beast a wall? A rope? A spear?
The first person, whose hand landed on the trunk, said, “This being is like a thick snake”. For another one whose hand reached its ear, it seemed like a kind of fan. As for another person, whose hand was upon its leg, said, the elephant is a pillar like a tree-trunk. The blind man who placed his hand upon its side said the elephant, “is a wall”. Another who felt its tail, described it as a rope. The last felt its tusk, stating the elephant is that which is hard, smooth and like a spear.
This is so much like a church. Looking at one part, we often miss the big picture. The church is made up of multiple layers … levels from concentric circles of concern (See book by Thompson) … which can be focused onto three levels in an organization … Outer Ring: Concern // Middle Ring: Influence // Inner Circle: Control.
Bonhoeffer looks a how we move through engagement in the local church in different levels …
1/ We see the sin & ugliness in others (arrogance & judgmental)
2/ We the sin & ugliness in ourself (regret & brokenness)
3/ We see the church as an instrument in the hands of the Redeemer (hope, grace, unity)
A more humorous look, yet still with a hint of truth. The church is like the Alamo. Yes, that historical landmark in San Antonio, Texas. The Alamo is the church in three stages …
The first stage … a Mission. Built to care for the community, to share the Good news, a place to worship and grow under God’s care.
The second stage … a Battlefield. the church begins to argue, fight over preference, petty squabbling. The church is a place to make our stand not to care for people.
The third stage … a Museum. A place where people gather remember history and influence of the past. a place we tell people to remain quiet and don’t disturb others. A place whose glory is past events not future acts.
What are you looking for in a church?
As a pastor …
I want more of level three from Bonhoeffer
& more of level one of the Alamo.
Muddy Shoes by Todd 
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