There is no Christianity without the local church

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There is no shortage of Christian resources available to consume by yourself: the best sermons, the most brilliant worship music and the deepest contemplative prayer are all available online.

But following Jesus cannot be done in isolation: Christianity is not an individual spiritual self-help programme. Jesus does not call us to be religious consumers but calls us to community. As Lesslie Newbigin put it:

‘Jesus did not write a book but formed a community.’

God’s plan

The diverse make-up of Jesus’ first followers and the early church, show us that community, especially those different to us, is at the heart of God’s plan.  There is no other option if we want to grow in faith.

This truth struck me afresh on Sunday in my church when I heard Alessia (not her real name), a girl who has been part of the youth group I help lead share her testimony in front of the whole congregation.  It was her 14^th birthday and she gave me permission to share what she said:

Alessia’s story

“Hi my name is Alessia and I am officially 14 years old! I’m Portuguese and obviously British and got some African in me. I started my journey with Streatham Baptist Church (SBC) last year at end of February. On my first day I was actually on time and the moment I stepped in I was in awe, as the place was crowded and the music was on point!

I was standing up and singing and it’s kinda embarrassing, but I started crying like a baby. My parents are Catholic and we would pray before we eat and all that, so I had some knowledge about God and Christianity, but not as much as I do now or wanted.

At that moment in my life, I was doing the wrong things and going the wrong way. I was going out a lot, disrespecting my parents, not listening, hanging out with the wrong crowd and doing bad at school.

I’ve never been good at opening up or handling my emotions correctly. I was also getting bullied and being body-shamed and I was scrolling on TikTok and wishing I was these people you would see online to the point where i would not eat breakfast and eat very little. I then eventually had bad thoughts and was thinking of doing something bad.

So I had a lot on my plate last year. But then I met this amazing church. And amazing people that I’m so grateful for now. So I started committing and coming every Sunday. But then I had to take a break because my parents thought I was being pulled away from them. Eventually they let me come again and I felt happy.

I went to Ichthus (SBC youth group) and met lots of new people and so shoutout to them as I love them very much and appreciate them. I then joined the worship team and youth band and got to know even more people whilst doing something I love.

So now we’re in May and it’s my birthday and I’m so glad I came to this place because no one knows how much this church has done in my life and actually helped me. It took me some time, but I can finally see God is working on me. I’m obviously not perfect and still got a long way to go but coming here every Sunday feels like I’m closer to being the best version of myself.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says:

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here.”

And I feel like that really represents my life right now. The person I was before, the things I was going through, the way I was living—that’s not who I’m becoming anymore. God is changing me step by step, and I can finally see that.

You could be a young adult, elderly, kid or teenager but it’s never too late to change your ways. Everyone deserves a second chance. Jesus dying on the cross for our sins was a magnificent thing and no way we could pay him back. But we can be there for each other, turning away from sin, thanking God you’re here for another day.

Thank you for listening and hope everyone stays blessed and have a good day.”

Journey into community

Alessia’s journey of faith in Jesus has also been a journey into community.  She could not have had the experience she has had online or by herself. It shows the importance of the local church.

We don’t mature as Christians by simply learning truths as if we are studying for an exam.  Jesus’ way is earthed and embodied in messy realities and relationships with others. There is no other way.  

The lens of the gospel

In his influential book, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, Lesslie Newbigin asks this provocative and vital question:

‘How is it possible that the gospel should be credible, that people should come to believe the power which has the last word in human affairs is represented by a man hanging on a cross?’

His answer is this:

‘I am suggesting that the only answer, the only hermeneutic of the gospel is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it.’

In other words, it is the local gathering of believers that is the lens through which the world hears and interprets the good news of God’s love.  As he puts it, when the church is true to its calling, ‘it becomes the place where men and women and children find that the gospel gives them the framework of understanding, the ‘lenses’ through which they are able to understand and cope with the world.’

There are plenty of people who are cynical, dismissive or disillusioned with the local church. I hope that they, like Alessia, can find their way back to a community of people ‘who believe the gospel and by live it’. And in this community may they find the grace and truth of Christ.