A Church That God is Proud Of

What is your church proud of?
Churches can be proud of different possessions, such as their buildings, stained-glass windows, innovative programs, worship band and award-winning choirs. Too many, though, are too proud of their wealth and impressive clientele.
Many churches will brag about their big numbers. Some are proud of their pastor, who is famous on social media. Some are proud of being old school, while just as many point to the fact that they’re hip and cool. Some are proud of their liturgy, while others are too satisfied with their lethargy.
As Sonny and Cher once sang, “The beat goes on.”
When you examine this data and information, you still must wonder, “What kind of church would God be proud of? If God were to write an article about churches that He would endorse, what kind of church would show up in His assessment?”
Scripture points to what healthy groups of believers look like versus those local bodies that could use a spiritual doctor. One just needs to read the Book of Revelation, where, in the first few chapters, the Spirit evaluates seven different churches to point out positives and negatives. When will humans learn that the qualities that earth brags about doesn’t necessarily equate to success in heaven? 
I believe there is too much pride and not enough authentic praise to God alone when it comes to church today. Have you been on a talented sports team that didn’t produce a winning season because egos got in the way? There were ball hogs and stat-chasers that ignored directions, and others who knew only where the cheerleaders were located.
In Christianity, there are too many who call themselves disciples, but the goal is selfish, and they misuse God to bring attention to themselves. Believers are to be available, so the Lord can use them to bring glory to Himself. The Church is at its biblical best when it exists for only One to get the glory, and His name is Jesus.
We don’t use God to glorify ourselves. We humbly ask God to use us to glorify Him. We are at our best when we are all about Jesus and one another.
Scripture challenges us to do nothing out of selfish ambition. I have a strong conviction that we would make God all the prouder if we would forget about ourselves, concentrate on Him and be purposefully and passionately selfless.
The church needs to consist of godly teams of people working together. The Lord, Jesus Christ, says teamwork is made of different gifts, talents, abilities and strengths. Every local church is made of diversity, and when everyone is moving together in unison to serve Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we operate authentically as one body.
Churches should be looking to fight sin, not one another. How is a beautiful sanctuary useful if the saints that inhabit it are always at each other’s throats?
Do you think the Lord is pleased by music teams that are looking to sign autographs rather than lift up God? Do programs that prohibit Jesus to shine through because the programmers are too busy taking bows rather than encouraging others to kneel at the foot of the cross make heaven happy? You say, “Without significant buildings, programs, music, wealth, size, famous pastors or published material, how could a local church be a significant place?”
God would answer that question by challenging us to love Him first and love others as ourselves because, by this, the watching world would know that we are followers of Jesus. If there is anything that is eternally lasting and great in our midst, it’s both from and because of God and God alone.
We do our best work and we desire for God to do His best work in and through us. When all hell breaks loose around us, heaven should be breaking loose in holy power within us.
God must be our primary source of life. Jesus is the only source of amazing grace. Churches may boast in their efforts of dispensing information, but it is only because the Holy Spirit is working within us freely that there is will be transformation.
How useful is learning the word of God if no one is intentionally living the truth? What benefit does boasting about booming attendance provide if no one within the building is growing in their faith and love? 
God isn’t impressed because congregations are greatly enlarged. God created the universe, so I doubt He is wowed by buildings and budgets if the Bible is not coming alive within its midst.
Who cares about pipe organs and pianos if the notes are spiritually sour? Make a joyful noise to the Lord, and He loves when He hears our lives obediently in tune with Him.
God never evaluates a church by its external features. It’s more about motives than motions.
He never evaluates a church for its innovation, cleverness, artistry, political influence, social prominence, size or anything else on the outside. It needs to be about breaking the sin barrier and not the size ceiling. A church to be proud of is a church where the people are real, vulnerable, selfless, faithful, giving, growing and living in love with the Lord and one another.
If there was a time that the church needs to be the church, it is now. Are we a church that God is proud of? I pray that the answer is a resounding “yes.”
ED. NOTE: The author is the senior pastor of The Lighthouse Church, 1248 Route 9 South, Court House.