The church is more than a building. We are called to do more than entertain, but more importantly “make disciples.” In making disciples, they go out and make other disciples and then those disciples go out and make other disciples, etc.etc. After all, that is how it all started over 2,000 years ago in a place called Jerusalem.
My thoughts from above flow from a conversation that I had with a Haitian Pastor today.
A few weeks ago, I meta Pastor H. He asked me if I could get information on “fasting” and if I had some time to meet with him. Today was the day that we had planned to meet. I handed him the information regarding “fasting” and then we jumped into our time together.
He asked me if I could help him with his church. He said that he was forced to stop receiving support from a pastor in the states after the pastor had come to visit and seduced some of the girls within his congregation. Through this Pastor H. lost financial support and half of his congregation. He then looked at me and said, “Pastor, I need your help?”
Seeing the deep pain in his eyes I had a greater understanding why he wanted to know more about fasting, I quickly began to ask God for the words to share with Pastor H. I reassured him that the decision to separate from the support was the right decision (1 Corinthians 5). He was glad to know that he had done the right thing, but he was still left with fact that he longer had a building to meet in.
There was a part of me that wished I had the money to hand him for a new church building or at least an alternative meeting place, but I didn’t have either. As I was seeking more words of comfort for Pastor H., God sent me to Acts 2:42 - 45, reminding me the early church did not have a building to call their own. Most actually met in homes. God also reminded of the great call to discipleship. Jesus reminded us to be his witness and to go and “make disciples of all nations, baptizing, and teaching others to obey everything.” I encouraged Pastor H with these words. As he was listening to me, his eyes brightened and a joy gleamed from his face.
I pray that my time with Pastor H helps encourage you to continue to make disciples in your life. Do not be so concerned with the buildings or the “Sundays”, sure they are important but if we lost them all tomorrow, what would we be left with?
Walking with people mono e mono, teaching them all the ways to follow Jesus in their lives...much like the early church in Acts!
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