In celebration of the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant reformation, where Martin Luther famously nailed his “95 theses” to the door of All Saints church in Wittenberg as a response to the abuse and carnality that had permeated the Roman Catholic Church. I’ve been considering the modern Church and whether it truly resembles the establishment that Jesus said that “the gates of Hell would not prevail against.” More importantly, does my life resemble, the purpose for which Jesus gave His life.

After prayerful thought, what follows are my observations, coupled with scriptural evidence, of some areas that we as believers might address as hinderances to our faith today.

My intention is not to point fingers, as Paul said “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” Also, this is not intended to be a comprehensive list, nor a legalistic form of boxes needed to be checked, simply observations.

1. Church is a noun. Not because it is a place, because it is describing a people group, Jesus taught on the Kingdom.  He used the word Kingdom 106 times and the word Church three, they are not synonymous. The church is an agency representing the Kingdom, but the Kingdom is bigger than the church, and certainly bigger than the church that you or I attend.

2. On the same subject, saying that we “go to church”, is similar to saying “I go to family”. I don’t go to family. I am a member of a family, even when I am not at home. I can’t compartmentalizations my last name any more than I can Christianity. Jesus doesn’t reign part-time in Heaven so He should rule part-time in our hearts and lives.

3. God’s people should be influencing the marketplace, the marketplace should not be influencing God’s people. The “American Dream” does not fit in the Christian life. Our need to understand the world we are called to be missionaries to, and a heart fueled by a desire to be relevant today, are two completely different things. Our message is the gospel and gospel will always mean good news.

We as Christians should not be okay with these and many more glaring inconsistencies. I am praying and searching myself that these and many more discrepancies in my own walk with Christ be eradicated. Would you join me?

David Malcom is pastor of King Street Church in Keysville. His email address is davidmalcom75@gmail.com.