On my daily commute to and from work I pass a Protestant church, not an especially large one, that has a new sign. You know the type of sign. It's one of those signs where, using letters, you can put up changing messages or announcements. We have a similar one at St. Mary's. It's a nifty type of sign to have and very useful. The nice thing about signs like this is that you can invite the general public in to various events, place a message, or do whatever and the message is actually readable since the letters are fairly large. It also relays to the general public the vitality of a congregation.
Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
put off, according to former conversation, the old man, who is corrupted according to the desire of error. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind: And put on the new man, who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth.
The impetus for such a sign, wittingly or unwittingly, would be to relay the message that one can both be religious and still be "me-centered."* Is this the right message to send about your church? Not in my opinion. But it is, at least in part, a reason why so many evangelical and non-denominational-style churches are so successful in attracting people. They have a "come as you are" (and often a "stay as you are") message.
that if you are willing to take His yoke he will refresh you. (From this Ohio church)
Know you not that all we, who are baptized in Christ Jesus, are baptized in his death? For we are buried together with him by baptism unto death; that as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life.
The new era of entertainment-style worship, complete with music, computers, food &
drink, and giant slides. See also: Gigantic community center type church in Kalamazoo:
"Kids come to this church, we've got slides." Truly scary people. It's sad people give their
hard earned money to these...people in the name of God.
There is an excellent article in the Catholic Encyclopedia on the Church (ecclesia) in which both Catholic and the prevalent protestant views of the church are aptly summarized. The Catholic Church has always taught that the Church is a visible entity. It is a divine society, begun by Christ Jesus and with its origin in the apostles, it is a necessary means of our salvation, it is authoritative. It is one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic. It is, though, visible.
By contrast, a popular protestant position today is that the church is an "ideal invisible church, a mystical communion" of believers. But what kind of God would have done this to His faithful? It is fair to say, from a "common sense" rather than a heady theological perspective, that Jesus would not have left us with a splintered Church, the true faithful found scattered among the thousands of congregations and denominations, only visible to the eyes of God. After all, how then would we know where to turn? Whose authority ought we trust?
Knowing He would ultimately suffer and die for our sakes, wouldn't He have left someone in charge here on earth? Doesn't it make sense that, in His great mercy and love for us, He would have left Himself in the Eucharist? And as churches (parishes) would become established, wouldn't it make sense that He would desire His holy Presence to be preserved in these special places, where His children could commune with Him?
We Know Him Through Our Churches
Yes, He promised us in John 14:18 that "I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you." This promise He has kept for more than two thousand years. In the synoptic Gospels He gives us His Body and Blood, true and actual Food for our souls, not metaphorical food. And He promises us in Matthew 28:20, "behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." He has given us Himself in the Eucharist, and the Eucharist is preserved in all true Catholic churches.
In that He has promised to be with us actually, corporeally, in the Holy Eucharist, in and with His Holy Church (and indeed individual parishes), he has drawn us together as one Body of Christians, not as distinct individuals who happen to worship at the same time in the same place, but as his Mystical Bride. Though the Church itself is "not a building," as the diocesan administration is so fond of saying, the true Presence of Christ is preserved in these sacred places. And the Church itself is the Mystical yet nonetheless visible Bride of Christ.
How different a conception that is than "building people." As Christians we ought not be in the "people building" business, but in the business of glorifying God for His sake, and love of neighbor flows from that. Out of obedience to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, we need to dwell in unity and truth. The importance of the doctrine of the visibility of the Church and even of our church buildings should not be underestimated!
Therefore let it be known: Our churches are, in fact not just buildings! We as the Body of Christ, the Church Militant, with the grace of God have built them and they are our parishes, our spiritual homes, in which the Real Presence of Jesus Christ is known, loved, worshiped, and experienced. They are Communities of the Faithful, within which we are a changed people, and they are not dispensable!
Wherefore putting away lying, speak; ye the truth every man with his neighbour; for we are members one of another. (Ephesians 4:25)
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.