Does Being in a Church Building Make You a Christian?

Saw this on a church marquee here in Fresno last week: "Being in a church building doesn't make you a Christian any more than being in a garage makes you a car."

It's a clever saying that I've seen similarly elsewhere. What is true about it, and what does it miss?

On the one hand, it's clear that some who attend church do not live Christian lives. There are countless people who sing hymns, listen to sermons, give money and take communion and then lie, cheat, steal, gossip, do nothing, get angry and live abusively in ways that embarrass the name of Christ. Those counterfeits will not receive mercy before God for two hours of piety on Sunday mornings. Jesus demands discipleship that extends to every day of the week.

On the other hand, it’s less fashionable to attend church these days. There are still "churches of prestige" in many cities and towns across North America, but we're increasingly living into a world where there is little motivation to be in a church—unless one is truly a spiritual seeker. And spiritual seekers come in all shapes and sizes. They are not always moral, godly people who use right words, know how to manage money or have clean backgrounds. They may be broken folks who know they aren't perfect and recognize their desire to grow closer to Jesus.

So I think we ought not judge those who sit in church buildings. Perhaps some are hypocrites. But many others are just imperfect people trying to align their lives with the community of faith. Welcome them. Rejoice they have come. And lovingly guide them into the blessed way of Christ. If that doesn't put someone into the category of "Christian," then I don't know what does.