What kind of church do we want to be?
A reflection based on the parable of the sower
The parable of the sower from Matthew 13 is one of the most famous stories told by Jesus. Libraries have been filled with writings about it, and the subject has been addressed in countless sermons. Yet this ancient image from agriculture continues to hold up a mirror to us that is surprisingly relevant to the church today.
We usually read this story as a personal call. We wonder how the seed falls in our own hearts. This time, I approach it differently and ask the question to the church as a community. What kind of soil do we offer to people who come to us? What do they experience when they cross the threshold, and what kind of ground do they find?
Jesus describes four places where the seed lands. These are four images that can be seen as four types of churches. Let’s take a look at them.
The closed church
The first seed falls by the wayside. The ground is hard and trampled by years of use. There is no movement left in that soil. The seed does not penetrate, and birds quickly peck away the grains.
This is the image of a church that runs on autopilot. Everything goes on as usual, but little of real importance happens. The traditions are there, the rituals are correct, and dogma is dominant. People greet each other warmly on Sunday, but the inner door remains locked.
Words slide off the listeners, and in the depths, the Holy Spirit has no room. During the sermon, thoughts already wander to the coffee after the service. As soon as you cross the threshold of the church building again, you have lost the message.
A fruitful congregation begins with openness. It is not about the building, the dogma, or the liturgy, but about the willingness to be receptive to the Word and to one’s neighbor. We do not want to be spectators, but people who allow the message to enter deep into their hearts.
The superficial church
The second seed falls on rocky ground. It sprouts rapidly, raising expectations. However, as soon as the sun begins to beat down, the plant withers. There are no roots and no reserves.
You probably recognize this type of church. The atmosphere is fantastic and a good band carries you away in worship. The speaker strikes just the right chord and it feels like a great revival. Yet there is a danger here.
Emotion is an unreliable foundation. A church that thrives solely on experience and emotion cannot withstand the harsh reality of everyday life. In your family, during illness, or when faced with setbacks at work, there is often no room for euphoria. Then the enthusiasm of Sunday proves unable to withstand the heat of the week.
We must seek depth by putting down roots in Jesus Christ, the source of life. That requires honest teaching, personal prayer, and reading the Bible. Those who build their faith on mere emotion will find that nothing remains when that feeling disappears. We long for a faith that stands firm in the storm.
The busy church
The third seed falls on good soil, but thorns also grow there. Because the soil is fertile, those thorns grow vigorously. They choke the seed before it can blossom.
This image is treacherous. On the outside, everything seems fine. You sing along, faithfully attend prayer meetings, and are on the volunteer list. Meanwhile, your heart is full of things that have nothing to do with the kingdom of God. A demanding career, the mortgage, or extensive vacation plans demand all your attention.
The thorns grow unnoticed. You hear a call to help someone or to pray, but in the parking lot you are already thinking about tomorrow. You forget what you promised.
What you don’t weed out will grow on its own. A healthy church consciously makes room for what matters and gives no room to the weeds of the world. That means making choices and setting priorities. We must be honest about what truly fills our hearts.
The real church
The fourth seed falls on good soil and bears rich fruit. This is the church we want to be.
That is not necessarily the largest church or the congregation with the best band or well-known preachers. Success is not measured in numbers. The people in the background determine the face of this community. Think of the volunteer who is always there, the woman who prays tirelessly, or the pastor who acts as a humble servant.
In this church, the message has been given substance. People look out for each other, pray together, and read the Bible; here, the gifts of the Spirit are at work. People listen to God and to each other. You are willing to put yourself last, because you consider your neighbor greater than yourself.
Authenticity is more important here than the size of the church. Hearts are open and there is room for everyone who enters. This sincerity forms the foundation of a church that truly bears fruit.
The ground is shifting
The encouraging thing about this parable is that the ground is not immutable. Hard ground can be broken up, rocks can be removed, and thorns can be weeded out. The most important question is not what kind of church we are at the moment, but what kind of church we want to become.
That requires the courage to look honestly at what has become hard or what has remained superficial. We must dare to prune away what suffocates us. If we as a church prepare the soil, the Sower can do his work. Then there will be a harvest that exceeds all expectations. That is the church we strive for and long for.
@wimvanputten