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If I had the power to make a church exactly as I wanted, everything from the building to the people, how would I do it? Of course no church can be perfect, for we are not perfect, but we can dream of what the church could be.
My perfect church wouldn't be an ancient building, all carved stone and woodwork. They are expensive to keep up, and there is no especial value in ancient-ness. God isn't old. I would have a small, whitewashed building with a notice at the gate saying everyone is welcome. It would have a garden, with pretty flowers and wooden seats. It wouldn't be an enormous church, but small and friendly. There is a tiny Methodist church in Edinburgh which looks just perfect - small, whitewashed, half-timbered. I'd put a wooden cross above the door, and never lock that door. It would be open all day, all night so that people could come in and pray. And if the homeless chose to sleep in there? I'd let them, they're people of God too.
Inside the church I would have the walls all painted white. On one wall I'd place a cross, made by the congregation themselves. If no one was able to do woodwork, simply nailing two planks together would do. The rest of the walls would be covered with an ever-changing array of things the congregation made. Photographs, pictures they've drawn, collages, poems and quotes enlarged and printed out. No matter the aesthetic quality, any work made by a church member for the glory of God would go there. I'd have no valuable pictures (in terms of monetary value), no statues or icons unless made by the congregation.
Radically, I would get rid of pulpit, pews and organ. Instead we would use a portable keyboard and guitars for music, and those who could play would teach those who could not so that everyone who wanted to could play. I'd buy big squashy sofas and set them in a circle. They'd have wheels on the bottom so they could be moved to watch musicians, dramas or recitals. The minister would sit on a sofa too, in amongst the congregation rather than "six feet above contradiction" in a pulpit. I'd have a tiny kitchen in the church, with coffee bubbling away and big mugs of it available for anyone who wanted some. The church would be well-heated, so we could stay for hours without getting chilled.
For communion we'd have a large cup of wine passed round the group, and we'd finish the bottle between us. It would be good wine too - not fortified or cheap. Non-drinking members could have a glass of fruit or grape juice. We'd bake fresh bread, perhaps with garlic or cinnamon. After communion we'd have a meal, perhaps bread and fruit or even pizza.
There would be no sermons. Instead, every member of the congregation would take it in turn to present their thoughts on an issue or a scripture and then we'd discuss it, without rancour. More knowledgable members would share their knowledge, and less experienced ones their viewpoint, and we'd all learn from each other. We'd have a good stock of Bibles handy, as well as some concordances, lexicons and commentaries to refer to or to use in research. We'd learn the theology taught in universities, considered too difficult for the laity by some. We'd have a library, with Biblical studies material, theology books, philosophy, fiction, poetry and devotional literature. Anyone could freely borrow from this.
After discussion and communion we'd have prayers. Anyone could come forward and ask for prayers or post anonymously in a prayer box. We'd have recitals of poetry or favourite scriptures, songs, solos or dramas. The drama group would perform dramatisations of scripture and their own works. The music group would help the less literate and those unfamiliar with their songs by singing the lines before the rest of the congregation.
The minister's job would be mostly administrative, keeping the books, doing church notices, correspondence. They could be elected from the congregation every quarter or kept on for longer. It would be part time so they could still have an outside job. Elders would be elected, to visit the sick, the congregation and to visit those in prison and deal with charitable events.
There would be a Sunday school for children where Bible stories were told and the kids allowed to participate in the discussion. They, like the adults, would learn all about scripture. They would go on outings, 'exchanges' with other churches to learn about them, and trips to special places to underline that God does not just exist in church. They too would have a meal, and the children themselves would lead prayers.
Everyone would learn about the Bible in detail, as ministers do at university. They would learn about difficult doctrines like the Trinity and why they are believed. They could borrow works of theology from many traditions so they could decide for themselves what they believe. What the church believes would not be set from up a hierarchy but from the congregation. Everything discussed, shared and presented would go on a church website so everyone could read it.
The church would formally meet twice a week, and at any time any number of people were there. Everyone in the church could give communion so the minister would not need to be present every time.
The church would have a study room, with big desks and comfy chairs where people could read books from the library or write. There would be a tiny chapel with hassocks and old-fashioned pews for solitary prayers and meditation.
The church would have visiting speakers, from other churches, people known to the congregation and with an idea. Their talks would be thoroughly discussed afterwards.
Everyone in the church would have an equal share in it. Everyone could worship, lead services and share knowledge. No one would be excluded, no one glorified except God.
There would be events - recitals and concerts, plays and special celebrations. God would come first, prayers be spontaneous not written for the occasion. Learning about God would be paramount. The church would reach out to the world by helping the needy and by selling Christian goods made by the congregation at county fairs. Every member would know their duty of evangelism, and would gently show Christ in their every action, drawing people in by the evidence of their blessings.
The church would be filled with joy and grace, a home from home where everyone is welcome. Troubles can be brought - both joy and sorrow have a place here. A true fellowship, a group of friends meeting to celebrate God in harmony. And the name of the church is Love.
© Dubhóc MacEògainn, 2005.