Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
“Let’s do something about walls.”
Matt Smith, our Worship Pastor, and I were doing some impromptu songwriting one night after rehearsal. Matt’s gift with words is one of my favorite things about him; he takes things that were once only felt by the heart and translates them into lyrical anthems for the Church to declare in worship. And…I’m better with music and melodies. So, when I said, “Let’s do something about walls,” it was like some peasant saying to Van Gogh – “Hey, what about some stars…wait for it…at nighttime?”
But Matt, ever-gracious and encouraging, liked the idea, and we built upon it. After only about an hour and a half of writing, rephrasing, and chording out progressions on the piano, “Your Church” was born. It came together more quickly than anything we’d ever written before.
The message behind “Your Church” carries a similar vibe to 1 Corinthians 3 of Paul’s letter to the Church in Corinth. The song was written at the height of COVID when our staff was trying to figure out how to continue to minister and worship together safely. There was a lot we had to leave behind – the routines, the traditions, and even the building – to adapt to the new, ever-changing world around us and meet people where they were. I think that season was the greatest lesson I’ve ever had in what it means to not simply go to church but to be the living, breathing Church of the living God.
Paul wants his readers to understand that he and other people who lead us are simply that: people. Much like I got too comfortable putting my faith in the elements of church rather than God Himself, the Corinthians got too caught up in following the leader. With the influence of dynamic personalities, relevant teaching, and social media, I think the temptation is just as great for churches in 2022. We have some incredible leaders at Venture, and I’d follow them anywhere (unless they’re running; don’t sign me up for running). But ultimately, it’s not buildings, staff, or worship styles that make the Church.
Paul is one of the most influential leaders in history, but he’s not cocky about it. In verse 6, he says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” He is simply building upon the foundation of Jesus, and he understands that the work doesn’t stop with him. What an example.
Here’s my favorite part: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” I wish it hadn’t taken a global pandemic for that question to get my attention, but here we are. It makes me take a hard look at the kingdom I’m building. Am I “being the Church” in my own strength and power? Will my work burn up in the fire? Or am I pursuing holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit and doing work that is worthy of God’s blessing and reward?
If, like me, you sometimes find yourself trusting more in leaders, things, your own power, or ways of life rather than the Giver of life, then let’s do something about walls. Let’s break them down.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.