The "Church"

OK, fair warning. What I'm going to say is probably going to erk a few people. But please comment on this I'm interested in getting other peoples point of view. So here we go.

For my lack of wanting to figure out a better way of putting things when I refer to the "Church" I'm refering to the place of gathering, programs, the business that is the "Church" in America today. When I say the "People", thats you and me.

So, the thought that has been in my head for some time now is what is the purpose of the church in todays ever changing society? I have struggled with this for a while because I don't believe the church is doing anywhere near what it should be doing. and it isn't having the impact in peoples lives that it should be. Why is this??? Loaded question. The church, over many many years has become complacent. It has become about pleasing those that are already there and not about reaching out to those in need in our local communities. It has become about having a fancy facility and fancy programs to please those that are there every week. Do we really think that the guy who's addicted to crack and just lost his family because of his addiction gives a crap about the facilty. The church is not here to please you or me or anyone, it here to affect change in peoples lives. Thats what the church is supposed to be here for. The church in america has been on a very steady decline for years now, but so have the people in the church. Don't get me wrong on this one, there are a lot of people that do a lot of amazing things with the talents and skills they have been blessed with. but for the most part the people come to church to "get". When we are called to give. And i'm not talking about money when I say give. I go to church to worship, fellowship and to serve. Its not about getting for me. I read my bible during the week, I pray during the week, i worship during the week. I have a personal relationship with God. How many people come to church on sunday with the mindset that "i'm getting my fill for the week". The church as an organization has become complacent, but so have the people. You go into almost any church and you will see an extremely limited amount of people that do everything. why is that? Because we are lazy and expect others to do Gods work for us.

Until both the Church and the People get there focus on what we are truly called to do which is "Love others as he loved us", then we are doomed to fail. We attempt to make theology this big impossible to fully grasp concept, but in reality its so simple. We will never affect any sort of change for Christ if we are putting ourselves first and "taking". We need to give.