Revelation 21:10; 21:22-22:5
There is a question that is often in my mind – a question that I spend much time mulling over and wondering about: What is the place of the church in this nation?
We have a long history of understanding our nation to be one that separates religion from government, for the purpose of ensuring freedom of religion for all people. It has, generally speaking, served us quite well. And we have a unique point of view on this matter, because of our history.
Wicomico Presbyterian was first established in 1672, and that was well before we were a nation, well before we had a constitution that established freedom of religion. In 1672, when this was a colony ruled by the king of England, we were granted permission to gather at the Wicomico River for Presbyterian worship. And so we did, and Wicomico Presbyterian Church has been a congregation ever since, worshiping week in and week out for more than 350 years.
But it has always struck me that, way back then, we had to be given permission from the government, and this might not have happened. By the grace of God, it did.
The people who came to this land fought for their right to worship freely, and that right was granted. But at some point along the way, the church grew complacent about it all. Not this church in particular, but the American church grew complacent – just as it did in other nations too, I think. We were content with the way things were.
After all, we had a proud tradition – America was established on the foundation of religious freedom. We were a city set on a hill, the light to the world! We, the church in America, were given a high calling. Although I’m no longer sure what they thought this calling was.
Now we are not as content as we used to be. It is harder for us to be content when we see that things are not quite the way they were. Many fewer people are coming to church. Many more church buildings are closing down.
There are surely a lot of reasons this is happening. But in a society in which all people are free to worship, or not, as they desire, we can only assume that we are failing, somehow, to rise to our calling. That we are failing to be that light to the world.
And I wonder if, perhaps this vision of John – the revelation – can help us to better see what our calling is.
In Revelation 21, we see the beginning of the new heaven and new earth, a vision in which everything is renewed, and God dwells with humankind in this place. In this place, the sea is no more, removing any hindrance to peoples living together and knowing one another. In this place, there is no crying or pain or death. There is life; there is peace. And it is here in this place.
There is no more “us” versus “them.” There is no fear of the other.
In this place, there is no temple, nor, we can assume, is there a church building. There is no need, for worship is everywhere.
There is no longer sun or moon, because the glory of God is the light, the Lamb is the lamp that shines everywhere at all times.
It is a glorious vision, and not to be treated like a fantasy or fairy tale. This is a vision for the church, to teach us and guide us in finding our place.
As I said, these have been hard times for the church in our nation, not entirely different from the churches of John’s day. And for us, just as for the first century churches, we are not without fault ourselves.
I have been hearing for some years now, that the middle seems to be falling out for the churches in America. Mega-churches are doing alright because they have the critical mass, and then some. And some small churches are doing okay – even though they are getting smaller, because it doesn’t take a lot of resources to maintain a very small church – what they are now calling micro-churches. But the mid-size church, which includes everything in between mega and micro, is having a tough time carrying on. It’s becoming harder to know if we have a place anymore.
But maybe it’s not so hard. Maybe our place is everywhere.
As I look at John’s vision of a new heaven and earth, the holy city where God dwells with us, I imagine the church as being a totally integral part of the city, serving the city – glorifying God throughout the city. In many ways we see it already.
On any ordinary Tuesday we serve lunch to a hundred or more people from our kitchen. Just as many people, or more, walk into HOPE’s offices to have their other needs addressed: an ID card so they can get the benefits they are entitled to; clothing; referral to shelter.
I told you last Sunday about a woman who has been sleeping outside. She is a little old and frail to be sleeping outdoors and there was nothing she wanted more than to have a room to call her own. She showed up at the HOPE Resource Fair and found transitional housing. Last Wednesday she stopped by the church to show me her new glasses and to tell me about her new place – inside. with a bed. Life is good again, by the grace of God.
The power of God can make all things new. The church is a part of that. Here is a place you can come to fill your needs, and to find community.
People find community over at our Langeler building, where there are many organizations working to serve the needs in our city seven days a week. They find food, health care, spiritual care, education, a safe space. Here is the power of God at work to make all things new.
Church, I am telling you today that this is our purpose: to participate in the work of God, the new heaven and new earth, the city of God. When I ask what is the place of the church in this nation, I hear God telling me that this is it: in the city. In the community. This is what the church is for.
Centuries ago, when our ancestors established the church in this land and envisioned a city on a hill, a light to all the world, they weren’t wrong. But if they envisioned a process of using hard power to force compliance with their rules; if they envisioned shutting out people who were not just like them; if they envisioned building a safe space for “us” and building a wall against “them” – then they were wrong. In the city of God the gates are always open and the Lamb in our lamp.
We, the body of Christ, are called to be the light to the world. The Spirit, sent by God to be with us, empowers us to weave ourselves into this community with love and care. This is who we are. This is our place. By the grace of God, for the glory of God.
photo: Adobe Stock Images
