I locked the church on Sunday morning

I experienced a strange sensation this morning.  At 9:28 a.m. I put the key in the door, made the 1/4 turn clockwise, and heard the click of the door of our church locking.  I had not thought about it before the event, but  the door needed to be locked, the church was going to be empty - but locking a church on Sunday morning just felt wrong.

It's not that we were not worshiping as a church, but we were joining other congregations who we partner with on food, education and advocacy programs for the poor in Albany for worship this morning.  We had a bus load waiting to depart for the trip into the city (all of 6 miles), and many others would drive separately, so all was good, just strange.

As I rode along in the bus I reflected on the irony that this Sunday morning was the only morning our church was locked and closed this week (or actually any day so far this year other than Jan 17th) - I mean even in the blizzards either Dave or I was there working.  So we close our doors on Sunday and have them open all the other days.  Hmmm....

 - A good reminder that church isn't about the time or the place, it is about the people.  God loves for people to gather, to focus on his worth, to pray, to sing, to learn, to listen - these things please God greatly - but not when it is out of rote habit or obligatory ritual.  (We must worship God, not patterns or places)
 - A good reminder that church isn't just Sunday morning.  Everyone who is a Christian is part of the universal Church, and as such we are being the church all week long - wherever we are, whatever we are doing.  Not only is this building open all week, but Delmar Reformed Church is open and active all week in the lives of each person who calls DRC their spiritual home and family.
 - A good reminder of how great worship at church can be.  I didn't want to lock it up and go somewhere else.  We would be gaining by worshiping with others and celebrating the work of the FOCUS ministries, but also missing out on the very special something which happens on Sunday mornings at our church.

As the bus returned us to 386 Delaware Ave, the doors were unlocked again.  They were unlocked to let the teenagers unpack the three minivan they were returning in after an overnight "mid-night run" to help the homeless in New York City.  A night handing out food, clothes, and supplies to the homeless, before sleeping briefly, worshiping, and then coming back to a building which is but a facility to strengthen and support the work of Jesus in this world.

It's okay if it is locked on Sunday mornings from time to time... because Jesus calls us to so much more than one hour a week sitting in a sanctuary.