Biblical Excellence – Part 2

By Pr. Bonifresh Muhollo.

Read part 1 here.

Biblical excellence combines both theology and sociology. Before we get into the theological or religious aspect of man, let us dig into man’s sociology just a little more.

I begin by presenting my thesis statement that: No one lives for himself, we are inextricably connected to each other in ways that no amount of independence can cut the links.

Whatever happens to you has implications to the man and woman at the other end of the globe. Human sociology is, therefore, like quantum physics. If one man goes down, he goes with the rest and the only way to save the whole is to make sure that the individual is safe, trained and taught how important the other is.

Hebrews were taught first to love their neighbors. This is the foundation for a truly harmonious and happy society. That is why the Church must be a place of care and concern for the other. God himself declares that he is only found where two or three gather in his name.

This implies that even worship is never complete without the aspect of us. That is the reason why the book of Hebrews admonishes worshippers not to forsake the tradition of gathering together.

Church must be a place of togetherness and not merely a place where individuals selfishly submit their prayers without concern for the other. Church is a place where true brotherhood ought to be exercised. We go to church primarily to meet our fellow worshippers and create a forum through which God can reveal himself.

God is never locked in a physical building called church. He can be found anywhere. Yet we as social beings must gather in a building so that we may experience the full measure of joy of being human.

A church which does not promote the joy of being together is lacking in its calling. I have been to churches where people are always in a hurry to leave immediately after the sermon. Some people think that they come to church to “meet God” and off they go. And thus, they have no interest in the brother and sister seated behind. Such worship is incomplete and a complete waste of time.

Church ought to be a place where people learn how to love the unlovable, relate with the difficult and feel for the disadvantaged. Heaven itself will be a social gathering.

So what are the things that a church can do in order to strengthen it’s sociology?

I like the S.D.A tradition of shaking hands after the divine service. That alone increases the possibility of social interactions. There is a sociological miracle in the mere shaking of hands.

As a second year Seminarian, I did a research on finding out reasons why most people remain in their particular denominations. I discovered that almost half of my respondents cited social reasons for their stay. Most people would and definitely will leave church simply because they are mishandled socially.

Another study showed that most people left church because they were either neglected or mistreated by the Church leadership.

A church which does not care about it’s members has lost direction and will soon close down despite its good theology.

God holds the church accountable. Worship is not limited to theology, doctrines and prophesies. Worship is also sociological to the core. The early Christian church itself was primarily a social gathering. Believers gathered together to share not only the word of God but also a word of the stomach.

There was concern for the other and this creates a force that not even the Roman dungeon could stand against. The early church’s sociology is responsible for the survival of the Christian church amidst persecution. God is a social worker. So are his people.

To be continued