From a Locked Storage Closet . . .
Let me tell you the story of a church in the Northeast that recently experienced healing from painful events in their history. The church looks brand new from the outside. You’d never guess their history went back to 1891. However, a fire destroyed their previous building about ten years ago. They have since rebuilt. Thus, a “brand-new” structure.
Though the building appeared new, their ministry had been stalled for a number of years and they didn’t know why. Their pastor scouted another church in the area that embarked on the Healing the Heart of Your Church process and became convinced his church should do the same. Thus they set off on a journey to hear what Jesus had to say to them. It was no small task, but the leaders and congregation committed fully to the process.
During their two day historical retreat, where we unpack a church’s history, Jesus spoke clearly through the church’s variously gifted members as they assessed the ways He had blessed them, and the ways they had disobeyed Him through the years. The Laodicean church in Revelation 3 left Jesus outside their church, knocking to get in (Rev. 3:20). This Northeastern congregation discovered they had locked Him in a storage closet where they kept holiday decorations. They felt that, like those decorations, they only let Jesus out on special occasions, and when finished, they stored Him safely away. They relied instead on their own leadership inclinations rather than trusting God.
Furthermore, their history uncovered an arrogant spirit related to other churches in town, and they looked down on their own people who were not prosperous. They got to be (proudly) known as “The church of the Three-Piece Suit” in a blue-collar town. They also had a long history of wounding each other—pastors, elders, worship teams, just about everyone. But that is what happens when Jesus gets locked in the storage closet.
All this they brought before the Lord in a special meeting called a Solemn Assembly. A Solemn Assembly is the Bible’s prescribed setting for getting right with God as a corporate body. But just holding a Solemn Assembly is not magic; they are only as good as the depth of the repentance that takes place. It must be sincere, courageous, and committed to doing whatever is necessary to make things right. In the case of this church, the leadership took full responsibility for keeping Jesus locked up.
At the Solemn Assembly, they gave everyone small plastic keys. Then, at end of service, asked if people wanted to give their keys (to their church and lives) back to Jesus. About 150 people came forward and dropped their keys in a bowl. They now have about 150 keys displayed on a giant key ring that says to the church, “Jesus has the keys to our lives and our church. No longer will He be locked in storage room.”
The service struck a chord with visitors and members alike. One long time member remarked, “I’ve been coming to this church 38 years and I never thought that they would deal with these issues.” A young lady visiting the service was so impressed that she asked, “How much does it cost to join this church?” She has since met the One who paid the price of her membership! The pastor remarked, “From beginning to end the service was filled with joy, sadness, and most of all repentance. I felt a sweet spirit in our service to deal with the heart of our church. The very presence of the Father and Jesus reaching out to us.”
The spirit of the church dramatically changed for the better after the service. Joy and faith began to replace conflict, grief and pain.
I share this account in hopes that you’ll consider: On a functional level, where does Jesus reside in your church? Does he sit at the head of the board room table? Does he occupy the best seat on your church’s platform during worship? Or, perhaps, He’s safely locked away while we pursue our own agenda?
We long to see churches with Jesus fully enthroned and in control, His Presence shining brightly through their ministries, and no longer locked in a closet.
Contact us to explore how we strengthen healthier churches and work to heal wounded congregations.
Rev. Mark Barnard serves as President of Blessing Point Ministries which helps healthier churches to bear more fruit and facilitates healing in ministries that have been wounded by painful crises. Mark authored The Path of Revival: Restoring Our Nation One Church at a Time among other works. For more information visit blessingpoint.org or contact mark@blessingpoint.org.
