I recently read a book entitled How to be a Christian without Going to Church by Kelly Bean. However, don’t let the title throw you off, just as you shouldn’t allow the title of this article keep you from reading on. Kelly Bean in her book uses the word “church” to describe the buildings and gatherings of church as it has been defined for the past 250 years. And, it is this connotation that I am thinking about when I am suggesting that it is possible to be a Christian without the church. In fact, I think it is necessary in our present crisis and may continue to be necessary in the years ahead.
Paul in his letter to the Philippians gives us a challenge that can help us as we face a time of extended separation from our traditional church structure. He tells the Philippians to “work out your own salvation” or “work hard to show the results of your salvation” (Philippians 2:12). This challenge comes to the Philippians as they are facing a time without Paul’s physical presence in their church.
I can imagine that for many in the newly planted church at Philippi that Paul’s leaving created a vacuum of spiritual leadership. For some Paul was the teacher they could go to with a question about the Scriptures and he would give them an answer that would enlighten them. For others Paul was the person they watched as he lived his life in front of the leaders in the community and he inspired them to live holy lives. For still others Paul was the one who came and visited them while they were sick or laid hands on them and prayed for them. With his absence from the church, the Philippians felt lost and for some of them their spiritual growth was stunted.
But, Paul did not let his absence be an excuse for their lack of spiritual growth. He tells the Philippians that they need to work on their own salvation, because it “is God working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13). Paul explains to them that they don’t need him because they already have everything! They have God the Father disciplining them. They have the very Word of Life speaking life into them. They have the Holy Spirit living in them and teaching them righteousness. They don’t need Paul.
Living in the midst of a pandemic crisis that is isolating some of us and endangering many of us, we miss the stability of our church family. We miss the personal touch of our pastors and church family that strengthens our resolve to live righteously. We miss the structure that helps us grow spiritually. However, we have all we need to continue to live righteously and grow spiritually. Even if we are separated from all other humans, there is one who is closer than a brother (Proverbs 16:24) and who walks with us in the shadows of loneliness, discouragement, and despair.
So, during this time of separation from the traditional church structure, look to the Scriptures for inspiration on how to live a life wholly acceptable to God (Hebrews 12:1) while separated from human support. Read the story of Esther who was alone as she faced the crisis of her day. Read the story of Daniel who was alone against a king and a den of lions. Read the story of Abraham who was alone in his faith that God would deliver his son Isaac from death. Read the story of Joseph who was alone in a strange land among those who did not know God. Read the story of Mary who was alone in the knowledge that she was carrying the son of God in her virgin womb. And be reminded that every one of these people of faith had God with them.
And, the same God who gave Esther courage in the midst of a crisis, will give you courage to face any crisis in your life. The same God who gave Abraham a promise that kept his faith strong, gives you the promise that he will be with you to the end. The same God who gave Joseph wisdom and understanding among unbelievers, will give you wisdom and understanding about how to live a righteous life.
The believing community that you are a part of needs you to continue growing in the fruit of the Spirit. There will be a time when this crisis will pass and we will be able to gather once again for worship and teaching and prayer. But, if we have worked on our own personal relationship with Jesus in this time of separation from the believing community we call church, our times of community worship will be sweet and will be attractive to those who do not know how to be a Christian without the Church.
So, this is not a call to abandon the church. Rather, it is a call to become the Christ followers God is calling us to be so that when the church gathers together we are a beautiful fragrance to both our Creator and to those who are looking for a place to belong.
