Matthew 16:18-19 – “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.  19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” 

My question is meant to be more than rhetorical; it is focused on how the church operates today.  Jesus expressly and emphatically declared that He would build His Church, but in today’s world, mankind has missed that part of the equation. Most seem to believe We are building God’s Church or, as the more applicable terminology, “Our Church.” 

I can appreciate any pastor identifying with the church he is leading and understand them calling it “My Church,” but is it?  I can appreciate the membership of a local fellowship referring to the ‘local sheep-shed gathering place and body’ as Our Church or My Church, but is it?  As in most humans’ political, business, and personal lives, the church, rather than being an ‘extension’ or ‘continuation’ of Christ and His ministry, becomes a ‘competition’ and a ‘position’ to be defended, protected, and developed.

John the Baptist understood correctly and spoke appropriately when he said in John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  If it is My Church, I am responsible for its health, development, growth, and safety.  If it is The LORD’S Church, then I am not.  I am simply a participant in the Body or a Cell in the body with a particular function. 

I recall that the apostle John came to Jesus and said in Mark 9:38-40, “…Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.  40 “For he who is not against us is for us.” 

John wanted to protect the ministry of Jesus, but Jesus quickly informed Him that anyone who was not against Christ was for Christ. It was a simple reminder that there is nothing to protect in our pursuit to advance the Kingdom of God. It belongs to Him, and He will use and utilize whatever vessels He chooses.

I recall a time, in the annual convention of ministers in the Denomination I was credentialed with at that time, an argument and debate.  It was over the proximity of one church to another.  It was a ‘turf war,’ and the debate was passionate and heated.  I told several ministers sitting near me that this was ridiculous because it was Jesus’ Church, and that proximity should not be the issue. 

One minister angrily shook his finger in my face and said, “Well, you wouldn’t like it if they ran their buses in your neighborhood.”  I calmly and honestly said, “I do not care if they park them in the parking lot of our church.  The people who want to be with us will stay, and those who do not should not.  It is not my church. It is the Lord’s church. I am just an under-shepherd caring for the flock He gave me to care for.”  

They huffed away, mumbling that I would be upset if it happened to me.  I believe it must be God’s Church, so I seek to help wherever and whenever possible.  I never want to be a hindrance or obstacle. 

If it is Jesus’ Church and we are the Body of Christ and members in particular, then it would behoove us to all draw from each other and realize that we have no position, place, or entity to protect It is His!  May God build His Church dynamically and allow us to be a part individually and collectively.

God bless you as you go through your day!