If a Tree Falls in the Forest does it make a sound? Pondering the question, “Why would anyone want to be a part of the church?”

Feb 14, 2012 by admin    No Comments    Posted under: Blog Archive

If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound?

The same could be asked about church…

If the mechanics of a Sunday service are performed but no one gathered, is it still  church?

What if… The Gospel (the good news about Jesus) is preached but no community  forms, has the Gospel really been experienced by the people?

Trevin Wax, in his book Counterfeit Gospels, explains the Gospel by comparing it to a three-leg stool, wherein it can only stand if all three legs are present.

1. Story

“The Gospel Story is the scriptural narrative that takes us from creation to new creation climaxing with the death and resurrection of Jesus.”

2. Announcement

“God–in the person of Jesus Christ– lived a perfect life in our place, bore the penalty for our sin through his death on the cross, was raised from the dead to launch God’s new creation, and is now exalted as Lord of the world.”

3. Community

“Lifelong expression of gratitude and love for God and his community because of the forgiveness, grace, and love shown to us.”

 The short answer to the question above is NO. The Gospel without community is incomplete.

So where does that leave us?

The fact is we can’t change the story.  Most of the story has already been written. However, what lays unwritten is how our lives, as part of the Gospel Community, will shape the larger picture of God’s glory and his plan to bring renewal to all of creation.

Often times, the Gospel of Jesus stops at what was done, leaving no room for the present. As if Jesus has taken the last 2000 years off, or as if the Gospel was limited to the forgiveness of sins provided on the cross. Maybe some have just settled for less, but when I read the Scriptures I continually see the authors looking forward to the complete renewal and restoration of creation. This is ultimately where the Gospel concludes, when God’s will is done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

The Gospel does not end with the retelling of the story of Scripture, nor does it end with pronouncement of the life and death of Jesus. No, the Gospel has continued to be written throughout the centuries as Gospel Communities have been born and live in response to grace and love of God. Our faith is not just an ancient faith cataloged in the archives of history, but a living faith that continues to imagine, challenge, and shape our future hope of a renewed creation.

As we embark on our journey in North Park this is our vision. We are excited to be a part of a Gospel Community in North Park. We are excited at the privilege of working toward the renewal of creation beginning in our community.

Sometimes I’ve asked myself, “why church?

Why would anyone want to be a part of the church?”

The concept of Gospel Community helps me answer this question. In a way, like the families we were born into, we don’t choose to be a part of the Gospel Community; we are birthed into it when the Gospel Story takes hold of our hearts and imaginations.

Don’t neglect this… being a part of Gospel Community is the privilege of living for something greater. It is the privilege of being a part of a community serving others, and witnessing the work of God as he restores all things.

Has the thought of a renewed creation caught your imagining yet?

What would it look in your community?

…What part will you play?

Got anything to say? Go ahead and leave a comment!