RE.THIINKING Church: From Cruise Ship to Aircraft Carrier

Posted on by marc ulrich

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced world, the concept of church is evolving. As we look towards 2025, it’s crucial to redefine what it means to be part of a church community. The church is not about personal preferences or a mere social club; it’s about living out the mission of Jesus Christ. Let’s explore how we can transition from a cruise ship mentality to an aircraft carrier mindset, where every believer plays a vital role in advancing the kingdom of God.

The Church: Not About You, But About Jesus

The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ. He declared, “I will build my church,” emphasizing that it belongs to Him. Our role is not to build the church but to seek the kingdom of God. This involves following the model Jesus set for His disciples—being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. It’s not enough to be a casual or cultural Christian; we must actively follow Jesus, confess our sins, and commit our lives to His ways.

Living as a Community of Believers

A true church is a covenantal community centered on Christ. It’s not just about attending services but being the church wherever we go. This involves living out the “one another” commands found in the New Testament—loving, honoring, forgiving, and serving each other. While these actions create a supportive community, they are only half of what the church is called to do.

The Mission: Go and Make Disciples

Jesus’ Great Commission calls us to go and make disciples of all nations. This mission is not just for pastors or church leaders; it’s for every believer. We are all sent out to share the gospel, baptize, and teach others to obey Jesus’ commands. This requires us to move beyond our comfort zones and engage with the world around us, bringing the light of Christ into dark places.

From Cruise Ship to Aircraft Carrier

Many approach church with a cruise ship mentality, expecting to be catered to and entertained. However, the church should function more like an aircraft carrier, where everyone has a purpose and contributes to the mission. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be active participants in His work, not passive consumers.

Contributing More Than Consuming

As we mature in our faith, our contribution to the church should outweigh our consumption. This means actively seeking ways to serve, support, and engage with our community. Whether through missional communities, prayer services, or acts of service, we must strive to be contributors to the kingdom of God.

Conclusion

The church is not a building or a service; it’s a living, breathing community of believers committed to following Jesus and advancing His kingdom. As we rethink church, let’s embrace our roles as active participants in God’s mission, moving from a cruise ship mentality to an aircraft carrier mindset. Together, we can make a significant impact in our communities and beyond, bringing the love and hope of Christ to a world in need.

Hammock

Posted on by marc ulrich

A few years ago this image came across my computer screen.  I thought it was comical at first, but then I started to realize it was pure genius.  It’s pure genius because it is a perfect example of my life growing up in church. I grew up knowing all the right answers about the church, Jesus, and the Bible.  At times, I walked around thinking how great I was because I knew all the right answers.

 

In seventh and eighth grade I participated in a competition called Bible Bowl.  If you’ve never seen a competition, click here to check it out. It’s an academic competition to see who knows the Bible better than the other team.  I truly believe it started with good intentions, but no one, not even my Bible Bowl coaches realized I was only in it for the fame and millions of bonus points it promised.  I wasn’t even a follower of Jesus yet. I honestly had a desire to prove how smart I was and how great of a competitor I could be. My main goal was to crush my competition with my Bible knowledge.  I’m pretty sure that’s why God wrote the Bible in the first place right?

 

The problem was, I had no relationship with Jesus.  I only knew the facts of the Bible. I could push the button pretty fast, recite part of the Bible and come out victorious.  I really believed that knowledge of the Bible was good enough.

 

After a short career on the Bible Bowl circuit and realizing the promise of millions of bonus points was empty, I retired. The problem still was that I had no clue what I was supposed to do with this Bible knowledge.  I had no clue that this knowledge meant little to nothing in everyone else’s mind. It also did not actually make me right with God. I knew where to find the right answers. I knew the process other people should follow to be made right with God.  

 

I still found myself awkwardly standing, like the dog in the picture, in the presence of God.  I volunteered at my church. I attended church all the time. I read my Bible but still had no idea how to act.  I thought I had to perform for God. I thought I had to go through all the ‘right’ motions and have all the ‘right’ answers.  

 

I was 17 years old when I finally had a real come to Jesus conversation.  I found myself on the back porch on a spring night. It was past midnight on a Wednesday.  My student ministry pastor had just given one of the clearest explanations of Jesus and grace.  I remember my emotional response to the message. I can remember the smell of the building and the feeling of the wind as I drove home that night.  As I sat on the back porch alone, I lit my cigar and cracked open the beer bottle I stole from my step dad’s stash. Still not knowing what to do, I asked God that if all of what I had heard was really true, then what’s next?  What should I do? I was still like that dog in the picture above, trying to be comfortable standing in the hammock, instead of resting in the hammock.

 

After asking God what to do, He simply responded: “Rest in my grace”.  One of the parts of the Bible I read through that night was Matthew 11.  One of the verses in Matthew 11 says, “Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls”.  That night, I finally found the proper way to rest in the presence of Jesus. It wasn’t more knowledge of the Bible or emotionally driven worship songs.  It was simply resting in the presence and grace of Jesus. He bore the punishment for my sins. He endured hardships beyond measure so I could make right with God.  The issue we all need to face is that our personal sin separates us from the God who created us. God so loved the world that He sent his son, Jesus to the world, to save humanity.    

 

My prayer this Easter season is that we will all be able to rest in the grace Jesus offers us. Enjoy the hammock as it was designed to be enjoyed. Don’t just simply fit in it, but rest in the hammock.