Message or Messenger?

I wonder if we have forgotten how to tell people what we seek to be as a church.  Over the years I’ve found myself defending the institution of the church, what we do, how we do it, why we do it… And lost.  Every time.  I lost even though I believe there is no more powerful organization in the world than the Holy Spirit working in God’s Church.   

People look at the world and say, “Why doesn’t God do something about it!”  God did, God did do something about it 2000 years ago.  God gave us the Church, and through God’s people working in the local church, this organization can be the most powerful force for good in the world. 

What government, university or corporation has the influence over people’s lives that the church has?  Sure governments can pass laws, companies can develop great products, universities can teach the knowledge of the ages, but neither the president, nor any corporation or university has the power to change a person’s life.  Only God has that power, only God can make a person come alive, can turn a neglecting father into a devoted one, bring a wayward son home, offer forgiveness, heal brokenness, or help people come alive for the first time in their life.   God does all this through the message of Jesus Christ in local church.   

But instead of telling that story, we talk about the architecture, or the music, or the people or pastors.  All fine but imagine trying to convince someone to join the Rec. Center for the design of the building, or the music they play, the people who work there, or the programs they broadcast?  All could be absolutely true, but still not convincing. 

Carl Medearis, in his book “Speaking of Jesus” says we have confused the messenger with the Message.  The Message is Jesus; and his messenger, the Church.  I think when people come to church and get the messenger, we hope it will lead them toward Jesus, but when they come to church and get The Message, they get Jesus, and see him in the people, the music, and maybe even the architecture. 

So I've quit defending the messenger, and am trying to stay on message, the message and stories of Jesus, then maybe then people will get the church.  Because I'm not sure it works the other way around.