The Wall-less Church

On a beautiful Sunday in May, some family members including my 5 year old grand daughter, Ella, took a ride on this customized bus.  What fun to cruise through the Missouri countryside, right up-close to grazing cattle, tall leafy trees, and rock lined creeks.  Nature’s majesty was completely visible. Ella was having a blast, but finally, after thinking about it, she asked, “Where are the walls?”  On a regular school bus, walls are a necessity to keep the weather out, and the kids in.

 Walls, in general, are a good thing, but when it comes to the body of Christ, the church, they can get in the way.  The earliest Christians met wherever they could; in homes, on the temple porticoes, and under trees. If actual walls were in place, they never were meant to keep people out. It was, in fact, Jewish custom to welcome everyone into your home, doors were rarely locked. Remember this story? “A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.” Luke 7:37.  Anyone could enter, even sinners, the church was accessible, and its activities were never hidden from onlookers.  The purpose was to encourage unbelievers to hear the gospel, enter and hopefully become believers.

Over the centuries, however, the church started the wall building process. Maybe it was motivated by fear, or the desire for exclusivity, but certain man-made requirements, customs and traditions like heavy bricks, were laid in place. As time went on, instead of being a place to gather, learn and worship the living God, it became more like an unapproachable, exclusive private club.  I think it’s time we step back, and ask God to show us his vision of the “wall-less” church.  We live in dangerous and godless times.  God isn’t welcome behind the walls of our government, schools and sadly even some churches.  In the future, God will say, “Enough is enough”, and close the doors and put up a wall himself. Let’s not leave anyone outside. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' Luke 13:25.