The Nature of the Church

It has been estimated that there are 20 000 or more species of ants! We can relate this to the church – “of every nation, tribe and tongue’! They are found on most of the earth’s landmass and are able to adapt to their environment when necessary. Ants are also social creatures, living in colonies.

The ants form new colonies through two methods, namely budding and swarming. Budding is a “breakaway of a group of ants from a mature colony to form a new colony” whilst swarming is when a young inseminated queen attempts to start a new nest by herself (not always successful). One can see the parallels to church planting!

The nest itself differs according to the species of ants. Some nests are quite complex, whilst others are not. Some are sub-terranean, some are built on trees, under stones or inside logs. In the same way each church is unique, built according to the culture of the people and according to the environment. We have communities who meet in buildings, under trees, underground, in people’s homes etc.

The queen ant is usually the largest member of the colony and of course her primary role is reproduction. The primary role of the lead elder of a church is to give vision and to teach the congregation which should lead to the raising up of more leaders, leading to growth of the local church and of course church plants. Of course within the church the lead elder is not expected to be solely responsible for the growth of the kingdom of God – individuals are commanded to go out and make disciples of all nations. Thus the comparison is not perfect! One could make another comparison of the queen ant to Jesus Himself. The queen is the head of the colony, and the ants exist to serve her and to contribute to the smooth running of the colony.

The group of non-reproductive ants are called workers. Within the church we are to contribute to the functioning of the church. The workers are involved in the building of the nest, in foraging for food, in caring for and rearing the young ants, and of course in serving the queen. Their task is chosen according to their size. In the same way the church is a group of people who seek out where they can be of service within the community of believers. Of course this is dependent upon their talents and their age (in the Lord and physical!).

The development of an ant starts from an egg which undergoes metamorphosis. It is interesting to note that a larva is cared for by workers, being fed liquid food. After a series of molts it becomes a pupa. I have read that during these developmental stages the workers actually move the larvae and pupae around the brood chamber depending on the change of temperature, as they have to ensure a constant temperature for proper development. Is this not like mature Christians caring for the young Christians, feeding them the Word of God, guiding them through their first months or year of serving our God? I have read further that even the adult ants share food which is stored in the “social stomach” of the group. Is this not like a group of believers, who share the Word of God amongst themselves? Yet on a practical level we are also required to share possessions and to help the poor.

Consider the way ants communicate. They smell with their antennae, and they leave pheromones (chemical signals) upon the soil for their fellow ants to follow. If a path is blocked then an ant will make a new trail. An unused trail soon loses its scent. The ants will continue to seek out the best route towards their food supply. A successful trail will be used frequently. The church learns from other churches in a similar way. For example. in Durban North the church leaders meet regularly to share in friendship and to share ideas. The church adapts to the times for what worked in outreach twenty years ago does not necessarily work successfully in 2012.

The ants are also able to protect themselves through biting and stinging. We believers have been equipped with the armour of God and the Holy Spirit. Just as the ant has to defend itself, we have to be alert to the enemy and be prepared to fight.

Ants are considered pests yet they are also considered beneficial to humans. They are beneficial in the aeration of soil, are used as surgical sutures in parts of Africa and South America, help to harvest rooibos, and in southern China the weaver ants are used in citrus cultivation. To me this speaks of Christians being involved in society at large. The church is not called to sit in a holy huddle behind closed doors, but is called to make an impact on the world. The individual believers can do this by being the best employee, the best board member, the better politician!

In conclusion, as the church is a group of people who continually adapt, multiply and function socially, I consider the ant colony a good comparison.

Resources
http://www.greensmiths.com/ants.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant

Two are better than one - Ecclesiastes 4:9

About three years ago I was sitting on the verandah enjoying a coffee whilst watching the weather change from bad to worse.  As the wind grew stronger I believe that I heard God whisper in my heart to me:  “trouble is coming”.  My initial reaction was to feel fear and dread, and I responded by thinking “Nonsense!  Anyway, we have been through enough trouble in our lives, physical, financial and emotional, and we can’t handle anymore.”   But as I attempted to block out fearful thoughts my attention was caught by the two swallows who had returned to their nest.  They flew onto a candlestick which was hung upon the wall of the house, each bird perching upon a solid candle.  The more I observed them the more my mind was filled with what I believe God knew I had to meditate upon for preparation for the troubled times ahead. 

The swallows were perched out of the wind, sheltered on the verandah.  In the garden itself the branches were broken from trees and the pool was littered with leaves.  Yet the swallows did not move.  They remained still with unruffled feathers.  As I watched them I recalled Psalm 91:1-2.  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”   As followers of Christ Jesus His Spirit lives in us.  We need to remember that His presence is always with us, whether we feel Him or not.   It is in God’s presence that we find refuge, peace and rest.  When our emotions and greatest fears threaten to overpower us we need to sit down and turn to God.  Just like the swallows found shelter and rest from the storm upon the candle tops, we need to regularly “sit” with our God.  It is by staying in God’s presence that we can experience peace and rest, no matter what the circumstances are. 

The swallows were a pair.  I had watched this pair rebuild their broken nest, defend each other in flight, and feed together.  They were now resting together.  In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 it reads:

 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.  If one falls down his friend can help him up, but pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up. 

Also if two lie down together they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

We need each other!  In times of trouble we need to find someone to stand with us, to walk with us, to fight with us and for us, to pray with us.  This is when pride needs to be put aside.  Too often we place high expectations upon ourselves and others as to how we or they should be portraying the “strong Christ-like man or woman.”  We also want others to believe that we have it “all together.”  Yet we forget that Jesus asked for support in His darkest moments.  In Matthew 26:36-45 He asked His disciples three times to keep watch with Him in the garden of Gethsemane.  If Jesus needed support, who are we to think that we can stand alone? 

The swallows were perched on top of the candle’s wick which when lit produces a flame of light.  Two scriptures came to mind.  Firstly, Psalm 119:105 reads;  “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.”  We should look primarily to the Word of God for guidance in all situations.  Secondly, with fire we will experience pain yet out of fire comes change.  When there has been a veld fire we can see the destroyed ground and smell the destruction.  Yet out of that heat comes new growth.  Some seeds will never germinate without intense heat.  Romans 8:28 reads: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  All means all – the good, the bad and the ugly!  The NIV Study Bible interprets the words “for the good” as “that which conforms us to the likeness of His Son (vs 29)” (2000:1720). 

I have come to realize that life on this planet is not about us, nor our comfort.  We are here to love God with all of our heart and mind and strength and to love our neighbour as we love ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).  We can choose to allow times of trouble to lead us into a reclusive and resentful way of life, or we can choose to dwell with God, experience His peace and rest, and in turn be empowered to help those who are also experiencing difficult times.