Separating the Church from a Church

By: Brian G. Chilton, Ph.D., M.Div. | August 15, 2023

The local Church is very important to the life of a believer. Scripture states that a Christian should “consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:24–25, CSB). However, because of the splits found in many modern churches due to legalism, the inability to agree on matters of polity, and the toxicity that has arisen over various political and theological matters, many people have decided to avoid church altogether.

On the other side of the spectrum, however, are those who want to attend Church but are attached to their local Church to the point that they cannot envision life without it, even if the Church seems doomed to failure or has, in some fashion, neglected them. I was inspired to write this piece after a handful of people contacted me from various churches and situations. All of them noted that they loved the people in their Church. However, they no longer could support the Church due to varying issues. One person felt forsaken by their Church because the Church never reached out while undergoing extreme hardships. As a chaplain, I have met several seniors who felt forsaken by their churches when they were no longer able to financially able to contribute.

In all these cases, I have advised people to separate the Church from a church. Here’s what I mean by that. When I use the term “the Church,” I speak of all believers represented by the entire body of Christ. When we hear about the Church in Scripture, it is often described as the Bride of Christ (e.g., 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25–27; Rev. 18:23; 22:17; 19:6–8). The Bride of Christ does not speak of a particular church. Rather, it speaks of the entire body of believers encompassing all space and time.

In contrast with the Church, the phrase “a church” speaks of a local congregation or denomination. The Church is international. A church is found within a particular nation and region. The Church is multigenerational and multiethnic. A church usually consists of one or two demographics. When troubles come to a church, it is important to separate our identity as members of the Church from a member of a local church. Here are three reasons why this is important.

Separating the Mission from the Church and a Church

Unfortunately, local churches often focus their mission on increasing their attendance and remaining relevant for their communities. This is regretful because the mission has never been to become icons of popularity or prestige. Rather, Jesus tells his Church that the life of a Christ-follower often includes sacrifice and compassion (Matt. 16:24–26; Mk. 8:34; and Lk. 9:23). Regrettably, the gospel mission is sacrificed on the altar of entertainment and popularity. Local churches desire vision and mission.

Yet the mission of the Church has never changed. Jesus gave that vision after his resurrection when he said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18–20, CSB). If the mission of a church does not match the mission of the Church, then the local church needs to reevaluate its priorities.

Furthermore, your calling as a believer is not limited to a local church. If you are led to do something great to lead souls to Christ, it would be beneficial if you had the support of your local assembly. But if you don’t, then think about how you might fulfill that calling as a parachurch ministry. Bellator Christi Ministries was birthed in part due to the frustrations I had with failed attempts in trying to implement apologetic and theological programs in local churches. However, all was not lost. Bellator Christi was born, and we now have a team of both scholars and laity providing resources to believers in locations around the world.

Separating the Message from the Church and a Church

Far too often, churches and denominations become so fixated on various interpretations and issues of church polity that the message of the Church united is lost in the shuffle. That is not to negate the importance of some of these issues. However, the message of Christ should always be front and center. The reason the Church exists is to love God and love others. Our message is one of grace, love, and compassion. The gospel, in a nutshell, is found in John 3:16 in that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16, NRSV).

If the message of a local church loses its focus on this central theme, then you may need to consider whether you need to look for another church that does. The message of the gospel is found in Christ, safeguarded by the Church united, and pressed forward by the Holy Spirit. The message is not found in local idiosyncrasies and divisions.

Separating the Meaning of the Church and a Church

Finally, every believer would do well to find their meaning in Christ and their membership as a member of the kingdom of God rather than placing their full identity in their local assembly. Why is this important? In my early years, I was led to doubt and despair due to problems found in local churches. It seemed like the only thing that some of the churches of my youth could agree on is that they could not agree on hardly anything. As a person who despises drama and discord, this was not something I enjoyed. Later, my doubts increased due to personal issues, and I eventually embraced a form of agnosticism.

When God restored my faith and called me to reenter the ministry, I would like to say that my experiences in the Church were much better. Yet that would be a lie. However, this time around, I came to realize that my meaning and identity were not found in the inability of church members to get along. It was not found in the number of people who attended my church. My identity was not found in my denomination and their controversial beliefs. Neither was my identity found in my effectiveness as a minister of the gospel, or lack thereof. My identity, my salvation, and my meaning are found in Christ alone.

You may be part of a local church that was built by a family member and hold close affinities to it. You may think that if your church fails, then you are a failure to the ones who built it. However, understand that without Christ, your family would not have a message to share. Furthermore, if you are only working to keep a family establishment going, then you must ask yourself if you have allowed your family church to become an idol rather than placing your identity in full association with the risen Jesus. At the end of life, your buildings, associations, and calling will not escort you to heaven. Rather, it will be the One who provided, prepared, and established your eternal home. Thus, find your meaning in the Triune God and nothing else.

Conclusion

While a believer would do well to distinguish their identity as a member of the Church from a church, we should also note that the mission and vision of a church should match that of the Church. The more closely aligned a church is with the vision of the Church, the more kingdom-minded that assembly will be. This article is by no means disparaging the complexities of the local Church. Neither is it criticizing any of the attempts of the local Church to reach their assigned communities.

However, when people are disillusioned or neglected by their local church, it is easy for them to lose faith in the Church, or, worse yet, lose their faith in God. Therefore, the principal message is to find your mission, message, and meaning in the God of all creation, in his Son, who is the redeemer of the world, and in the Holy Spirit, who continues to bring souls to salvation. When all else fails, God will remain. Thus, find your identity in the One who transcends space and time and in nothing else.

About the Author

Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. Dr. Chilton earned a Ph.D. in the Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University (with high distinction), a M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his B.S. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and completed Unit 1 of Clinical Pastoral Education at Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine. Dr. Chilton is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out in his home gym, and watching football. He has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years and serves as a clinical chaplain.