All Christian churches should be a reflection of Jesus’love and understanding,
words,anddeedsandtheenvironmentshouldreflectthesecharacteristicsasweglorify God.All
members should be believers who teach the words of salvation of Christ.
Sometimes these principles tend to get lost as many people may feel that the church is a
building where people meet physically, but may not truly reflect Christianity.According
toTownes (2007, p. 99), “At times, the term church describes a building on a corner or a
denomination. However, the bible never refers to the church as a building or
denomination. Church is a term describing a community of believers who meet in the
presence of Christ”. The church is also known as the body of Christ. We see this as
evident in 1 Corinthians 12:27 which states, “Now you are the body of Christ and
members individually”. Townes describes on page 99 that over time, Christians began
goingtochurchratherthanbeingthechurch.Wecanshowotherswerepresentthechurch as the
body of Christ by sharing a common bond with other members regardless of their
background, sharing God’s message of salvation with others, and showing unity without
any signs of division. We can do this by building each other up, focusing on what’s
important rather than trivialities, and setting an example as we live by faith.
Many individuals are drawn to the church through the strong, biblical teaching
and preaching. However people can deter from the word of God when it appears certain
churches make up their own personal rules when it comes to dressing or living a certain
type of life. People see the church as advocating an expected lifestyle that seems out of
date and foreign to today’s contemporary culture (Townes 2007, p. 98). This situation
happened to me at the age of 13 as I questioned certain church rules. My parents were
members of a nondenominational church, however members were not allowed to wear
makeup, jewelry, or certain clothing styles. I recall that when a nonmember walked into
the church one Sunday wearing large hoop earrings, she was given looks of disdain and
knew it. She walked out shortly after. When I asked to see the bible verses where these
rules were obtained, I was told I was being “sassy”.As Christians, we can’t be
judgmental.Thisisa fineline to cross because wehave to state the truth of the gospelof
Christ, even if it means we are misunderstood.We have to first develop a sensitivity and
awareness towards other people who have made bad choices. We should pray and be
open-mindedaboutthedifferentwayspeoplechoosetoworshipGodwhileneverforcing our
opinions on others. We should also be loving and accepting as Christ was so that others
will feel comfortable around us. 1 John 4:11 states, “Beloved if God loved us, we also
ought to love one another.
It’s important as believers to take the opportunity to look at the personalities and
behaviors of individuals in the church. People steer away from the church for many
reasons, however attitudes of members can be disheartening for tentative believers.An
individual may go to a bible study seeking the word of God, but if members start
gossiping or talking about how others have sinned or have values that are not respected
by the church, that person will not want to return to that environment.According to
Towns(2007,p.103),“Peoplearedrawntoacommunityastheyinteractwiththevalues and
attitudes of other believers in the church. Everyone has a deep commitment to the values
and experiences of one another”.We should respect and love all individuals just as Christ
loves us. From the very beginning, God’s plan was to develop people who reflected his
character. We can do this by taking an active interest in the well being of
others,whetherthroughcounseling,mentoring,orshowingothersyouhavefaithinthem. 1 John
4:7 states, “Beloved, let us love one another for love is from God, and everyone
wholovesisbornofGodandknowsGod”.Thechurchisgrowingnotjustregionally,but all over
the world, andit isup to usto spread God’smessage of salvation while inspiring others.
Towns,E.(2007).CoreChristianity:Whatischristianityallabout?Chatanooga,
Tenessee:Advancing the Ministry of the Gospel publishers.
Version,N.I.(2011).HolyBible.GrandRapids,Michigan:Zondervan.
