A few weeks ago, I was worshiping with some new friends at 7 Hills Church in Florence, Ky. We had a great time of worship and I really enjoyed the teaching of Pastor Marcus Mecum. His teaching was on being addicted … to our faith and the gospel. Marcus used 1 Corinthians 16:15 as the foundation of the message (you need to read it in the KJV). Notice how the word “addicted” is used?
As he progressed, one of the “Laws of Addiction” he identified was that addicts like to spread the addiction. Sure, that resonates with me. If I am addicted to something, I generally want others to participate in the addiction with me. That is part of the allure. I am sure you can see the relationship with this and how our passion should be to want others to participate and become addicted to Christ, like we are (or should be).
Then he said it. I just about fell off my seat.
He said, “Most churches are homosectual.” SAY WHAT?!?!?!?
He had to say it two to three times and then finally spell it. Man, did I feel better after I heard the spelling.
While the play on words might take some people back or consider it edgy, I thought it was spot in. Think about the meaning of the components of the word:
Homo—a combining form meaning “same, identical”: homogeneous. Also, esp. before a vowel, hom-.
sect—a group of people forming a distinct unit within a larger group by virtue of certain refinements or distinctions of belief or practice.
ual—used to form adjective from nouns with the sense “of the kind of, pertaining to.”
Another definition of “sect” is: a religious body, especially one that has separated from a larger denomination.
What Marcus was actually communicating was that we, as Christians and church people, like people that look like us, live near us, act like us, dress like us, talk like us and simply fit in. We like comfortable. We like familiar. We like sameness.
But I struggle to find scriptures that back that premise. Yes, the Bible talks about the gathering and edification of the saints. And I believe that is one of the functions of our weekend worship gatherings. But is that the primary purpose of the church? Our weekend worship as a community of believers is only one (maybe two) days in a seven-day week. Is the church in existence to create homogenous communities that are inward focused and fraught with sameness and exclusivity. I sure hope not.
If being the same is our primary goal, then let’s have the common decency to stop calling our organizations a “church” and just call them a club. That is what clubs do. A “club” is defined as: a group of people organized for a common purpose, especially a group that meets regularly (i.e., Country Club, Garden Club, Kiwanis Club). Does that better represent your church?
Is your church homosectual? If so, it may be time for an intervention.
