Being in the Church, Not of It

Henri Nouwen wrote:

Often we hear the remark that we have live in the world without being of the world. But it may be more difficult to be in the Church without being of the Church. Being of the Church means being so preoccupied by and involved in the many ecclesial affairs and clerical "ins and outs" that we are no longer focused on Jesus. The Church then blinds us from what we came to see and deafens us to what we came to hear. Still, it is in the Church that Christ dwells, invites us to his table, and speaks to us words of eternal love.

Being in the Church without being of it is a great spiritual challenge.

Thanks to Mike for sending me the quote.

Comments

[Tom]

In view of what Cyprian says about about the church, and what the church has historically believed about the church, namely that there is no salvation outside of the church, I think that I want to be "of" the church.

[Rob Auld]

Tom, I don't think Fr. Nouwen was speaking about salvation here. I think he was speaking about being 'of' an organization that is struggling to represent the Kingdom of God. Being part of a church that shows the world the Kingdom is a dream of mine. So far an unrealized dream. Rob