THE CHURCH WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE CONTENT

(Post by: Lilly Hobbs)

Never before in history have Christians had access to so much Christian content. Madie and I discussed this topic in one of our recent podcast episodes.

Thousands of sermons are available at the click of a button. Podcasts often fill our commutes. Christian influencers fill our social media feeds. Entire theological libraries fit inside of our pockets.

Yet despite all of this endless content, many Christians feel spiritually exhausted, isolated, and disconnected from the very thing Christ established: His Church.

The problem is not that Christian content exists, the problem is that somewhere along the way, many of us began treating content as a substitute for community and for real Church.

Scripture paints a very different picture of the Christian life, however.

The author of Hebrews writes, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hmm, I wonder why this is such a big deal?

Maybe it’s because you can listen to a sermon every day and still avoid accountability.

Or maybe it’s because you can follow every Christian influencer and still not have a true friend to call on a really hard day.

You can consume endless theological discussions and never actually put your faith into practice.

Job’s friends got a lot wrong when they opened their mouths, but before they spoke, they did something many Christians today struggle to do: They showed up. They sat with a suffering friend. They were present.

Presence has always been one of God’s primary tools for shaping His people.

Jesus didn’t merely distribute information. He walked with people, He ate meals with them, He corrected them, encouraged them, and even wept with them.

The Christian life was never designed to be lived through earbuds alone.

If you’re feeling spiritually drained, the answer may not be another podcast episode, another book, or another YouTube sermon. It may be a local church. A difficult conversation. A Bible study. A mentor. A friend who asks hard questions.

Because many Christians tend to approach Church the same way they approach entertainment:

• Was the sermon good?
• Did I like the music?
• Was it engaging?

The New Testament asks different questions:

• Did I serve?
• Did I encourage someone?
• Did I use my gifts?
• Did I help build up the body?

You see, the Church is not a performance to watch. It is a mission to join.

The Church was never meant to be content. It was meant to be a family. A body. A community.

A people called out of darkness and into the marvelous light of Christ.

Christian content can be a wonderful supplement, but it makes a terrible substitute.

In an age of endless content, perhaps the most countercultural thing a Christian can do is simply show up, commit, serve, and then stay.