The Business of Church

Lately I'm very annoyed with the commandeering of the word "church" by Christians to mean something it does not actually mean, as in using the word "unchurched" to refer to people who do not regularly attend a formal worship service conducted by a business also referred to as "church".

The First Church of Anywhere is not a church in the biblical sense of the word. Rather, it is a business. A business that hopefully serves and perhaps helps organize some believers in Jesus. The First Church of Anywhere is exclusive. It is defined by documents, both legal and doctrinal, and sometimes by membership contracts and financial donations and expenditures. It may be ethically run and it may not. It is subject to tax laws. Its gods are the government and capitalism. It wouldn't exist without money. In effect, it is made of money, as is every other organized "church" and parachurch organization in the country.

Unfortunately to many, the First Church of Anywhere represents the actual church, and for some, God Himself.

The biblical church on the other hand is much, much bigger and much harder to define. It is inclusive by nature, as in God, who owns it and empowers it, gets to decide who is connected and involved. He says everyone is welcome (1). Not one of us humans can negate His will regarding this inclusivity. God moves with His Body where He wishes, when He wishes, and with whom He wishes. He operates outside of tax laws, building codes and cultural mandates.

This means that as the actual church, followers of Jesus can decide to utilize businesses or not without affecting their status as members of the Body of Christ. I believe we should stop calling those businesses "churches". We could call them "associations" or "clubs," but not churches. "Churches" (plural) doesn't even make sense if there's only one inclusive Body of Christ.

The church(es) we read about in the bible were not disconnected groups. When we read about the "church at Antioch" or the "church in Corinth" we are hearing about THE church, a portion of which was gathered and located in Antioch or Corinth. While there's some element of seperatness, these gatherings were still associated with one another around a central figure: Jesus (not John Calvin, Pope John Paul, or Pastor Steve). The emphasis is on togetherness and unity in diversity, rather than separateness.

Self-proclaiming a business as the only or most right business is pretty silly and definitely arrogant, and encourages one to immediately other anyone who doesn't attend. So I may attend the First Church of Anywhere. Or not. My decision to participate with this or that business cannot determine whether or not I am churched. I am the church.

Therefore, "unchurched" is a completely mute term in any conversation about belief and faithfulness. Whether or not someone is actually churched is currently unknowable in the spiritual world. If God says everyone is welcome, who are you, created being, to say someone is or is not connected? Do you know their heart? Do you know their every move? Do you exclusively hear God's voice?

"Unchurched" only means something in the business world. Any time I hear it now, my ears perk up to hear the capitalism and self-importance I know will follow. The "unchurched" is studied and quantified as a way to reveal the next imperialist move by those in the businesses called "churches," but perhaps has nothing to do with the spiritual work tasked to believers. In fact, from the saddest perspective, data regarding the "unchurched" might be a distraction from the actual work we're called to.

Those speaking about the "unchurched" will quote statistics such as "57% of Americans do not attend church," (2). This encourages 57% of Americans to think themselves more holy than the other 43%. (Guess which group actually pays attention to that statistic). It can also pacify the drive of those 57% attending businesses of "church" to relax into lemming participation rather than actively pursuing God! (E.g. "I'm attending 'church' aren't I? That sets me apart, so I don't need to do anything else.") Lord knows I love a good statistic. But this one isn't helpful.

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As believers, let's make a clear delineation between church and business. Let's start calling our organizations what they are: businesses, associations and clubs. Let's hold those organizations to the highest standards, expecting transparency, financial integrity (including paying taxes) and ethical management of resources. These businesses should be the best businesses, who care primarily for their employees as is necessary for sustainability and benevolence, not because those employees are more godly.

There's nothing wrong with businesses operating as businesses. They require money to function and therefore have to have an overt financial strategy to thrive. Those at the top of a business appropriately have more power than those at the bottom. There are ways to hold a business accountable to ethical functioning.

Even more, let's stop participating in businesses that operate unethically. No organization that harms by policy or function to oppress, discriminate, or maliciously manipulate people should be supported, especially those designed to organize believers. No more boys clubs. No more nepotism. No more scrimpy salaries with simultaneous micromanagement with the excuse of "ministry". No more lack of health benefits for employees. No more lack of clarity and lax boundaries in the name of "family". No more pretending that those on top don't have more power than those on bottom. It's a business. Of course the boss's opinion carries more weight than the lower level employees' do, but that doesn't mean we should financially support an oligarchy in the name of God.

If you are a faithful believer who wants to give ten percent of your income back to the Giver Of All Good Things, consider the agenda of that Giver. He may want you to give that money to a business, but keep in mind His agenda is much bigger than that business. Where else might He want that money to go?

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As for the actual church, let's start being a lot more humble toward other humans. We are one of many created beings. We are equally, commonly human, with unique roles to play. Not one of us has spiritual authority over a single other, so be careful not to harm as you navigate among so many others with less worldly power than you. Do what you can to lift up those who are oppressed, as you would want them to do for you.

If you have been speaking about the unchurched, please stop! Our work as believers is not to compel and cajole other humans into using the same businesses we do. Our work is to love: actively love, serve, sacrifice and care for those who haven't yet experienced how good God is. Our job is to steward well what we've been given, including our talents and power. What do you have? How can you use it for the good of others and in great respect for the God who's given it to you? Let's operate as the actual church, moving toward unity in the peaceful collaboration in the work of love.

Blue stained glass from inside a chapel in Giverny, France