The Remarkably Ordinary Church

I was on vacation this past Sunday and didn't have to be anywhere, so I got to visit another church. We ended up attending a remarkably ordinary church.

We got there late. I was one of those people I criticize when they show up late at my church. It humbled me and gave me a bit of understanding for those who sometimes struggle to be on time.

There was nobody to greet us. We went the wrong way and stumbled into a music practice for the next service. We were confused, but eventually someone found us and pointed us in the right direction. We ended up in a small chapel off to the side with fewer than 30 people present. The service was simple, with no singing, just a rich liturgy and a sermon that probably spoke a bit too much to progressive objections to the text.

There was lots to criticize about the service, yet as I settled in, there was also lots to appreciate. The sermon was textual and pointed to Christ. The liturgy was rich and grounded in the centuries-old Book of Common Prayer, which I love. The sermon reminded me of my desperate need for nourishment in the gospel. It was all remarkably ordinary and imperfect, yet exactly what I needed. I praise God for remarkably ordinary churches.

A few years ago, I visited a larger church while on vacation. There was nothing impressive about the service. It was the kind of service that could have happened almost anywhere. The singing was rich, yet unremarkable. The sermon was biblical and Christ-centred, yet humble. Everything about the service screamed, in the best possible sense, that they were a group of ordinary people doing ordinary things that pointed to a remarkable God.

I walked away encouraged by this church. It seems that for decades they had been doing the same ordinary thing over and over again, faithfully, and God had honoured that faithfulness with gospel growth.

I used to think we needed extraordinary churches. I don't anymore. I think we need churches that don't get tired of doing the same things week after week: gathering to sing, opening the word, praying together, hearing God's word, pointing to Christ, eating and drinking the bread and cup.

This isn't an excuse for mediocrity or a call to offer God anything but our best. It's simply an acknowledgement that the focus should never be on ourselves or our skill. We should be getting out of the way as much as possible so we can direct our attention to our remarkable God and his gospel.

It’s also a challenge for those of us who attend such churches. Sometimes we show up with unspoken demands that things impress us. Instead, we end up listening to imperfect preachers and average sermons, sometimes leaving disappointed. Stop focusing on what doesn't matter. Aim to be easily edified. Show up with the intention of glorifying God and being fed by everything available in that service.

Last Sunday, I attended an ordinary church, and it did my soul good. I'm pretty sure that's what we need most. Keep showing up. Keep doing the same ordinary things that point to our remarkable God and the best news imaginable.

It doesn't seem like much, but it's much more than we could ever think.