So many churches…
May 20th, 2010 by ljkim
Sometimes people ask, “If God is real, then why are there so many different churches? Why can’t we all go to one church?” To which I ask, “if God is real, then why would you have just one church when you can have many?” Really, think about it. If the Church is just a human institution based on power, then it’s very important that there be just one, or few… But if the Church is something that God is doing, then it wouldn’t happen all in one group with one leader, you’d see similar things happening all over the place, in different organizations working with the same heart. But sometimes Christians get this mindset too: they’re more interested in advancing their group’s agenda more than God’s…
Jesus was right, we are smart when it comes to things of the world – but stupid when it comes to the things of God… The Coca Cola company realizes it’s good to have Diet Coke AND Coke Zero (which is diet too), along with Diet Cherry Coke, and Cherry Coke Zero, Diet Coke with Lime, and on and on… even though they’re all just Diet Cokes…because they’re different flavors that different people (who drink diet sodas) like. It’s actually better for the Coca Cola company to make different flavors to reach different people with the same core product. ”But aren’t they competing with one another” some asks? In a way they are…but regardless of which Diet Coke sells more, it all goes toward the Coca Cola Company.
Now if God wanted to reach different people, wouldn’t it make sense to have churches of different cultural flavors to communicate the same gospel? I think people should embrace their unique identities… But I also think churches should embrace their unique identities. Yes there will always be a place for McDonald’s style mega churches, but there’s even more room for unique flavors. I’d rather we be the Union Square Cafe of churches than Burger King…
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