Don't Go to Church - Tim Brown

During the latter part of my sophomore year in college, I met the woman who would later become my wife. Shortly after meeting, we became good friends very quickly and spent lots of time together. If you know Sara, my wife, you know that she is full of stories—entertaining stories. And she loves to tell them. Many of her stories revolved around those close to her—her mom, brothers, and many others. One in particular was named Bruce. It was clear that he was an important part of Sara’s life by some of the stories I heard.

Bruce was an older gentleman, and by older, I mean more than twice the age I was, and was nearing retirement. He wasn’t there yet though, he was still in propane sales and service—just as he had been for nearly 40 years. Despite the fact that Bruce spent the better part of his life on the West Coast, if you’d ever talked to him, you’d think he’d been plucked directly out of a rural farm in the mid-west and placed in front of you. He had a very animated way of speaking and telling stories, and when he laughed, he put everything he had into it. Bruce volunteered with the youth at Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, Washington where Sara met him. For many years, he worked alongside Sara’s mom, AnnMarie. The two, about as different as people can be, worked as a youth ministry team for many years.

Bruce loved the Lord. You didn’t have to ask him to know. It was evident in his daily life. He was kind, gentle and always there to help. He served his church in many ways. He helped with service projects. He mentored youth, and made sure they had fun too. Plus he was bold in his faith, and would stop to talk to anyone at any time to talk about God’s love. I learned recently that Bruce occasionally wore a t-shirt that simply read, “Don’t go to church,” on the front. This, of course, provoked conversation by many who took the time to read it. Some were offended by such a statement, but Bruce explained that “this is some of the best advice I have ever received!” After arguing for a while, he would show them the back of his shirt. It read, “Be the church.”

Church shouldn’t just be a place where we go each week to get our quick “dose” of the Word, and maybe experience a sacrament (if we showed up on the right week) and move on with our week. It is much more. The Bible doesn’t speak of “church” being a tangible place, but rather a gathering of believers whose mission was to encourage one another in their faith and walks of life and support one another, with the community living as a family. Is going to church important? Yes! But what about everyone who doesn’t make it to church? How are they being cared for? This is where the t-shirt comes in. We must BECOME the church outside of the church—encourage your brother with God’s love and His words, and then invite them to join in fellowship with the rest of the family. Don’t let the walls of the church be the end-all to your “church work.” Make it the beginning place where you become energized for God and desire to encourage others with the same message of love. This is what Bruce believed.

On June 14^th, 2012, Bruce died suddenly of a heart attack. I can say with complete confidence that Bruce is with his creator in heaven today. His memorial service is where I learned that Bruce enjoyed professing his faith boldly—like with his t-shirt. I’ll keep Bruce and his bold faith in my thoughts as we travel to San Francisco in a couple of weeks. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he writes, “Pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should,” I pray that our youth, leaders, and especially myself, will act BOLDLY for Christ, not just on this trip, but in everyday life, just like Bruce. May you also act boldly for Christ! Amen.