Only Jesus can build His Church

Feb 28, 2018

Lamentably, many leaders today run the Church exactly like a business, focusing on gimmicks, members, money and power. The Church is not a thing we are to do, but something we are by vocation.

By Msgr. John Wynand Katende

Every February 22, Christians venerate the Chair of St. Peter (Cathedral), in memory of his presiding over the first faith assembly in Rome. It signifies the episcopal office of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. The tradition reflects Jesus' declaration: "And I say also unto you, that you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18). This followed Peter's confession of Jesus as the promised messiah and Son of God.

Jesus is not asking Peter to build a Church for Him. It is Jesus who wants to build His Church by Himself. He is, hence, not giving anyone the right to start a church for Him. If we build a church for Jesus, instead of letting Him build His own church, we would be sinning. We would be creating something in our image. This corruption accounts for the divisions in the Church of Christ, which end up being counterproductive. Jesus denounces false church builders/prophets (Luke 13:27).

When we want our Church, we run into the danger of concentrating on programmes and efforts that translate into members, money and power. They replace Christ in us as the dominant focus. When we have created a church system, it ends up becoming a project to maintain, an entity, apart from Christ. It often becomes a rival and a substitute for Christ.

Jesus does not build His Church upon Peter, but upon the God-given faith of Peter. The authority to teach this revelation resides principally in the Pope, but in collegiality with all bishops. The Church is built when Jesus Christ is built up in people of faith. It is when the measure of Christ is increased that the church is being built. A church is alive, not because there are lots of people and activities and money. A church is alive because Jesus is alive in the people. A church is growing, not because numbers are increasing, rather because Jesus is growing in and through people.

The responsibility of keeping the Church focused on Christ falls to leadership. Church leadership is given by God, not by self-acclamation. Yet many churches are literally controlled by leaders whose conversion to Christ may even be in question, let alone their being called to leadership. Lamentably, many leaders today run the Church exactly like a business, focusing on gimmicks, members, money and power. The Church is not a thing we are to do, but something we are by vocation.

If we want Jesus to build His church, then we must allow Him to first tear down the ones we have built for Him. That would mean repentance, humility and total loyalty to the Chair of St. Peter. Church leaders must first let Christ build them and be their Head by getting right with Him personally. They must preach the Cross and the truth in order to be able to lead the people in a redemptive way; even if it means losing members, money and power.

The essence of the Church is the life of Christ in the faithful, people who are devoted to Him. The gates of hell cannot prevail against that Church. Jesus must be able to trust them not to take ownership over what belongs to Him. Jesus must be able to trust His disciples to refuse to compromise with the Cross and the Truth.

Ultimately, building the Church of Christ is a call to all Christians to make their lives decisively immersed in Christ. St Peter refers to them as "living stones" (1 Peter 2:5). Psalm 127:1 emphasises, "Unless the Lord builds a house, the builders labour in vain".

The writer is a priest

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