The other day I twittered a quote from Rob Bell’s new book, “Jesus Wants to Save Christians”.  The quote is, “If our church was taken away – from our city, our neighborhood, our region – who would protest?  Only the people who are members? Only those who are part of it? Only those who attend its services? Single mothers? Refugees? Atheists?”  For the past few days I have been doing a lot of thinking about this quote.  It is a very provocative quote that should cause all of us involved in any church anywhere to do some checking up. 

I would like to add some people to Bell’s list.  What about the poor?  Homeless?  Broken?  Abused? Unwed mother?  Those of a different ethnicity?  Those of different denomination?  Those who maybe don’t know how Christians are supposed to act (whatever that means)? Those are just a few that I would add to his list.  I could think of tons more.  But what about it?  Would anybody notice that your church was missing?  I am fortunate to be part of a church that is a force in our community.  People look to us for hope, love, kindness, mercy, friendship, a new start, and sometimes money.  But that is necessary, people should be able to come to a church for those things.  Bell also says, “A church is an organization that exists for the benefit of nonmembers.”  Wow, yet another crazy thought from Robbie Diesel (not his preferred nickname). 

I want to leave you with one last question, chew on it for a little bit.  If only members of the church you attend or where you are on staff cared if the church was taken away, are you really the Body of Christ?