Africa is full of churches. Having travelled throughout the world, it is very apparent that Africa is very receptive to the concept of church. From small mud buildings in the small town of Gwai, Zimbabwe, the open-air plot where San communities Ghantsi, Botswana used to gather, to the megachurches of Nigeria – church has become a cultural activity. Hundreds of thousands of people dress up on Sunday morning and head to church.
Having grown up around church and missions, however, there has always been a nagging question throughout my experience of church. It has helped me address so much of what I believe personally and has ensured that I am not just a product of my environment, but have my own faith.
This question can very easily be ignored or suppressed by those who go to church. It will make some uncomfortable and catch some off-guard, but it is so important.
Why does the church exist? Or rather, how does church contribute to life on this planet?
You see, if you ask this question, you have to eradicate any generalised answers like “I was raised this way” or “I want to feel better about myself”. No longer can church just be a way of doing life, or an appeasement for your conscience.
I believe the original concept of church, set up in the Bible in Acts, is relevant to its very core. Here are some ways I believe church is relevant:
Being Part of Something Bigger
We were not made to do life on our own. Relating to people is fundamental to the health of our soul. But it doesn’t only stop at community. You can have a good time with people anywhere, but life can still be all about yourself – your aspirations, your emotions, your success. The moment there is vision for more than just your own life, but for a group of people that meet every week, you are part of something bigger than yourself.
Putting aside your own agenda for a greater cause not only relieves the pressure you put on yourself to control and determine what you achieve in life, but it also encourages unity as the whole body of people progress constructively to improve their city. In this way, you are not only encouraged to thrive yourself, but know that there are a whole lot more like-minded people doing exactly the same. You have a broader picture of what life truly is and there is a progressive understanding that everyone is playing the part for a greater vision than just their own.
Social Impact
I love that my local church is one of the first ports of call for the city when there is a crisis. The power of a group of people that is generous is undeniable. You may look at the state of church in general across Africa and get upset by how money is being extorted, but the original plan for church is that encouraged generosity through sharing – not manipulating.
Living generously forces you to not claw frantically to what you have, but helps you recognise the needs of others as well as your own. An open hand may mean giving to others, but it also enables you to receive from others. It is the church’s mandate to feed the poor and look after the widow and the orphan. If this is not happening, then the relevance of church should definitely be questioned.
Aside from charitable giving, the church is also a place where people who are facing hard times can heal and be encouraged. It is one organisation where the person walking in needing counselling and the response to something like a natural disaster would both be addressed.
It is God’s plan for you
It astounds me how many people go to church but don’t have a relevant, vibrant relationship with God. Without personal revelation of who God is – that he is alive and interested in you – the church could be seen as a social obligation or an empty organisation. The church should be a place where people who are searching for God will find him and not just find a program, lifestyle or way of thinking.
Out of that personal place of fulfilment, the church is where you can be encouraged to grow spiritually. The message of salvation has eternal outcomes, but is also all about your life right now. Accepting God into your life should affect the way you live. People should see that there is something different about you. Things will change – and that’s where the support and encouragement of the church will help you define what you believe.
If you would like to understand church fully, I would encourage you to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Everything around a thriving healthy church is built around the relationship with him.
I don’t know what your experience of church has been. To some, church has felt like a hollow institution, to others is conjures up feelings of condemnation and judgement. If that has been the case, I would encourage you to take a closer look at what church truly should be. Church is the one organisation that exists for those that aren’t a part of it yet. When a church is relevant, it is vibrant and messy and exciting but definitely not perfect.