What is the church

I have a question: What is the church?

I look at the large commercial enterprises I see on many of our most prominent street corners. I say to myself: This is not it!

I will tell you a story of the ultimate in spiritual and financial abuse:

There was a preacher who pastored a "church". He was raising money to build a new church building.

One day he said to his congregation: "Everyone who wants to double your income this year, raise your hand!"

Everyone's hand flew up.

Then he said: "OK, if you want to double your income this year, double your pledge to the building fund. Because God has told us that if you will do that, God will double your income this year."

I bought this pitch. I feel pretty stupid about this right now, but I did actually double my pledge to the building fund. God did not double my income that year. In fact, I almost went broke from my giving to the "church".

I read the New Covenant, and I find a church which is:

1. Disorganized
2. Organic
3. Local
4. Spiritual
5. Impoverished

I look at the large commercial institutions and I see:

1. Highly organized
2. Sterile
3. Global
5. Wordly
6. Rich

I ask you: Is this the church? Or have we gone badly astray? I think God is grieving. I think we have strayed far, far away from what he intends for us.

Please let me know if you agree. I will post all comments to this blog.