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I am the church!
You are the church!
We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus,
all around the world!
Yes, we're the church together!
The church is not a building;
the church is not a steeple;
the church is not a resting place;
the church is a people.
We're many kinds of people,
with many kinds of faces,
all colors and all ages, too
from all times and places.
Some of you may remember this children's song if you grew up in the church. It is a simple tune -- easy to sing and remember. The words are pretty simple, too - but they are not simplistic. As good songwriters often do, they speak deeper truths . . . if we are paying attention. Sometimes it takes a long time to figure this out - maybe even a lifetime.
This song addresses two of the more profound challenges we are facing today - how to be the church during a pandemic and how we address and heal issues of race and racism. Both are complex - if for different reasons. First of all, what does it mean to be the church when we cannot yet meet together in our buildings for worship? As the song reminds us -- the church is not the building - it is the people. So, we find different ways to worship when challenged. In a place like China, the underground church flourished while being forbidden to meet together. The church has not stopped being the church - we have just found a different way to worship, connect, and serve others during this time. Like you, I am looking forward to worshiping again with others on our campus as soon as we can.
The other challenge that has recently exploded in our nation is the challenge of race and racism. The song also reminds us that as the church, we are many kinds of people of all races, from all over the world. Christ calls us to come together in love and to work against whatever devalues or threatens anyone - especially those directly affected by racism. Racism is a sin which we must address now. As the church, we should help lead the way in working for a peaceful and just world for all.
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