People verses building.

My dear friend, and co-worker [who undoubtedly loves her family, church, city and the work of children's ministry] the other night stated "Maybe it is just time we start meeting people where they are at... them in their living room and me in mine." We laughed and thought how true this was but how it was simply not an option. Her frustration is from the following:

Why in a mega church are we still lacking volunteers-- willing hands to love, serve, tell, be, help, create, give, etc? Why are there hundreds of kids who walk through the doors of a children's ministry whose parents do not want any part in their spiritual growth? Why in a church plant have I been part of the exact same problem?---- The lack of servant plague for those who proclaim Christ is Christian culture wide. But why?

No, I do not think that it is a matter of Missouri verses Ohio, or one church verses another. I debate if it is large church verses small church. But ultimately, it is all our problem. We are the church, we are all in this together. WE are the problem.

Are we setting up and creating an environment that breeds a generation of consumers? Or have we already created it; and, this is the normality we should expect to be part of amongst Christian culture? Why do we have multiple generations who see the church as the four wall building where programs and a system of self-help takes place? What happened to us, we the people of God- the redeemed? I thought WE were the church. I still believe WE are the church. I know that scripture tells me how, what, where, when to be the church. I know, and I have seen the kingdom of God on this earth in moments. I have seen the church be the church. But where and why is there disconnect amongst the church as a whole?

Ephesians 3, Colossians 1, Romans 13: We need to re-evaluate what God intended for his church (the building) to be, and what God intended his church (the people) to be. After a conversation with a dear friend and man who I would proudly claim as father figure in my life, I do believe we have this completely backwards. Are we as the people of the church choosing to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and not thinking or pursing the gratification or desires of sinful nature? By all means, the act of gratification and consumption is typically manifested in sin- lack of faith, unfound satisfaction in Christ, etc.

Are we choosing, by establishing our church as the building rather than the people- a mighty force for good? Have we concentrated our efforts to satisfy, cater and please the people who come only to the building by providing programs, 'hoop-laa' service structures, and other opportunities that only bring forth a spiritual high, false repentance and an incomplete gospel? Are we even preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ on earth, cross, grave, alive and seated at the right hand of God--redeemer of all?

Is the disconnect: Forsaking what God intended for His church (the people) to be??