The Country Club Church vs. The Missional Church

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable of the final judgment of man. He says that there will be many that will stand at the throne of God that will be sent to eternal judgment.

And they will cry out saying,

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ (Matthew 25:44-45).

I’m a huge supporter and believer in the parachurch ministry but it has taken a weight off of the local church, leaving many churches out of the loop on the needs of their community and more focused on the programs they have for their own members.

I do believe church membership is important, but it’s not like a country club.

Clubs often have events and programs for their members only, and rightfully so. You pay for your membership, and you get the perks.

Church should never be that way!

In fact, we need to remember that Jesus paid for our “membership”, and it’s only by God’s grace that we get the perks.

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

The phrase, “birds of a feather flock together”, has taken spiritual value in our churches and it is hurting the message of Gospel to a lost world.

In 2023, I believe that we have to look at church from a different perspective than we did 20 years ago.

The likelihood of getting John Doe at the local gas station to attend on Sunday morning is slim to none.

However, if you invite John into your home for food and a football game, he might show up.

Then he might realize you and he have a lot in common.

Then you might become close friends, and then you might share more about the Gospel.

Over time you develop a relationship with someone that allows you to open up your heart to them and they can see that you live different because they know you from Monday-Friday, not just Sunday.

I believe that God intended Sunday morning Church to be primarily for the believers.

On Sunday morning, it’s the Pastor’s job to “equip the saints to do the work of the ministry” (Eph. 4:12).

But as soon as church is over, our job starts.

We use the rest of our time to apply what we are being taught with those outside of our inner circle.

This is when we get out into the world, with other believers, with the lost, and we live out the Gospel.

Monday through Saturday is where we have the opportunity to truly “be the church”.

There’s a popular phrase going around these days called “love local”.

It can apply to many things, but primarily it’s a promotion to shop local, shop small, enjoy your community, etc…

I think this has excellent spiritual implications as well!

We should “love local” in our community as the local church.

Our members should pour out in the community day by day meeting the needs of our neighbors that are hurting, broken, sick, lost, hopeless.

We have the answer!

Praise God, we have the answer for a world that is searching!

Jesus commanded his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20,

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

We have the power of God with us to transform our world, starting in our own community.

Let’s be challenged by the concept.

Evaluate your home life and ask yourself if you are living introspectively or missional.

Evaluate your church-life as well and if you have ideas for your local church to be more missional, share them with the leadership!

It’s time the Church at large show up for the lost and hurting world around us, rather than hide in our spiritual corner and shelter ourselves from the evil outsiders.

Let’s truly show God’s love in our corner of our world by how we live out our faith day by day.

More From Amy Schaap