I was watching the movie, Diary Of A Mad Black Woman recently. It’s produced by Tyler Perry who is just one incredible individual. In the movie Madea has to be put under house arrest which means she needs to wear an ankle monitor. Out of no where I heard this voice whisper, “she’s the church“. So, what’s it mean that the church is under house arrest?
The church is being held captive, but by its own house rules that Jesus never advocated.
The church can’t leave its four walls and mingle with the crowd! It’s forbidden to. And you certainly can’t bring in from the outside all those un-desirables who will just make a mess of what good has been done.
The church has created far too many rules, set the whole process in motion and threw away the key. So, here the institutional church sets, doing little other than entertaining the elite, catering to the popular culture, and trying to convince people to come join the party? Why? Who would want to come anyway? There are no freedoms, no one can have fun, and any idea that’s not been approved by leaders on high is heresy.
People are leaving the institutional church in America in huge numbers as George Barna has pointed out; however, the’re not leaving God. Many have joined home churches and without knowing it, have created a new set of rules, and put new locks on the door.
Here’s the deal. Home church, institutional church, or TV church. YOU are wherever YOU go! It’s not so much about the wineskin as it is the wine, or should I say whine? Real church is always OPEN because Jesus is the only one with the keys and He never locks His doors! 
Real Church is CONNECTING!
Jesus said when two come together in His name, He’s there. There are hundreds of reasons why people are departing the institution. A girl shared with one in our home church yesterday, “I’m looking for something REAL”. So many are isolated, no connection. Others are doing it (Church) via internet. But it is a temporary fix. Why? Don’t let me get legalistic, but the rest of that verse said ‘two coming together in His name and TOUCHING’. Laying on of hands in scripture had more to do with compassion than it did with a doctrine of the church. Jesus did not care even if it was leprosy, he had to touch them. Are you looking for something REAL? It’s time to touch.
Watch out! We’ve got a “toucher!”
Jesus ahead!