That's what I normally say at the Catholic University of America when asked by my peers (Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Mennonites) to describe my church affiliation. The name definitely takes some explaining since we're not one of the easily recognizable mainline churches, and we're also not an evangelical or Baptist church. But taking the time to explain the history doesn't bother me, so I usually do. What does make me uncomfortable, at times, is the "of Christ" part of our name.
It's not because I'm embarrassed. It's because I'm nervous. It is a bold name. A name says a lot, of course. Names are a powerful part of our language. The name Church of Christ can make me nervous because of what the bold meaning of the name implies. The "Church of Christ" is a powerful name because it highlights that our church belongs to Christ; that it is his church; that it is a gathering of people which represents the Messiah. The name Church of Christ makes our relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ front and center. The name highlights a supposed proximity to Christ. And this should cause us to pause because a relationship to Jesus Christ is costly.
Taking on Christ's name requires that we give up what we hold dear to become part of his covenant family of others-focused communion. The name Church of Christ should always cause us to ask: "Are we of Christ?" "Are we Christ-like people?" "How well do we live up to a name that describes a people belonging to him?" If we claim to be the Church of Christ, we must recognize that we'll have to conform our American way of life to His death and resurrection way of life, not the other way around. The life of Christ was full of sacrifice and service on behalf of others who were "enemies and sinners" (Rom. 5). It is a narrow path. The life of Christ was a life begotten by the Father and sent into the world to seek and save the lost. Christ is the great reconciler of the divided and embattled. How tragic that Churches of Christ have, at times, become known for splitting rather than reconciling.
As we reflect on Randy Harris's retreat message that the church must "leave the building" to bring God's relentless, reconciling love to others (rather than expect them to come to us), we should think about what the name Church of Christ means for the Springfield community. We should let the name challenge us, and I think it's good that it make us a little nervous. To be a church that is worthy of the name Church of Christ will require relinquishing power and becoming vulnerable in order to serve others who are different from us. May the Lord give us the grace we need to more fully become a Church of Christ.
It's not because I'm embarrassed. It's because I'm nervous. It is a bold name. A name says a lot, of course. Names are a powerful part of our language. The name Church of Christ can make me nervous because of what the bold meaning of the name implies. The "Church of Christ" is a powerful name because it highlights that our church belongs to Christ; that it is his church; that it is a gathering of people which represents the Messiah. The name Church of Christ makes our relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ front and center. The name highlights a supposed proximity to Christ. And this should cause us to pause because a relationship to Jesus Christ is costly.
Taking on Christ's name requires that we give up what we hold dear to become part of his covenant family of others-focused communion. The name Church of Christ should always cause us to ask: "Are we of Christ?" "Are we Christ-like people?" "How well do we live up to a name that describes a people belonging to him?" If we claim to be the Church of Christ, we must recognize that we'll have to conform our American way of life to His death and resurrection way of life, not the other way around. The life of Christ was full of sacrifice and service on behalf of others who were "enemies and sinners" (Rom. 5). It is a narrow path. The life of Christ was a life begotten by the Father and sent into the world to seek and save the lost. Christ is the great reconciler of the divided and embattled. How tragic that Churches of Christ have, at times, become known for splitting rather than reconciling.
As we reflect on Randy Harris's retreat message that the church must "leave the building" to bring God's relentless, reconciling love to others (rather than expect them to come to us), we should think about what the name Church of Christ means for the Springfield community. We should let the name challenge us, and I think it's good that it make us a little nervous. To be a church that is worthy of the name Church of Christ will require relinquishing power and becoming vulnerable in order to serve others who are different from us. May the Lord give us the grace we need to more fully become a Church of Christ.
Matt
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