An interesting article, "What would happen if all institutional churches closed their doors?" at the Post-Congregational Christianity blog.
If all of our official church meetings ceased to exist—not the spontaneous fellowship between Christian friends—how would you invest those hours for the expansion of the kingdom and the proclamation of the good news? Would you be relieved or worried? Delirious with joy or burdened with guilt? Would you have more time to get to know your neighbors, volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter, visit the sick and elderly, and spend time with disadvantaged children and youth? Could your time investment be a more effective way to build bridges for the good news of Jesus Christ, or would you rather pay a professional missionary/evangelist to do it?
Where would you invest your financial resources if there were no mission boards, seminaries, denominational agencies, or parachurch ministries? Could your money still make an impact on your neighborhood, your region, your nation, or the world? Do you think more money would be available for the relief of poverty, injustice, affliction, and spiritual darkness? Why or why not?
If you currently serve as a paid minister, missionary, church staff member, parachurch staff or denominational worker, how easy would it be for you to make the transition? Do you have other skills that could provide for you and your family? Could you raise your own support from family and friends. What would happen to your own sense of self-worth if you were suddenly just an ordinary Christian, rather than wearing an ecclesiastical title (Reverend/Doctor/Bishop/Father/Vicar/Priest) or having the power, prestige, and influence of your present position?
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Related articles on this blog:
Custom or Command? Christian worship and Hebrews 10:25
It is my experience that as churches cut back services (moving from the Sun AM & PM service to just the Sun AM service) people aren’t taking the extra time to be in soup kitchens, rescue missions etc. Generally, they just spend more time watching TV, leisure activities, etc.
I agree that excessive church-iness can get in the way of practical Christ following, but to think that people will be come better Christ followers by not having services? I don’t think that will hold water Biblically nor practically. The best Christians I know are the ones faithful to churches.
Thanks for commenting, Ron! Dropping one poorly attended evening service is the tip of the iceberg. The article HERE answers the objections for a much more thought-provoking scenario: what if every institutional church in the world closed its doors completely? Would there be any witness in the world? Any missionaries? I would encourage you to read it.