Have we created an “air-conditioned church”?

Every Sunday, I follow an effortless routine of attending church service, Bible study, having lunch with church friends, and going home. I have been doing this for years, so I could almost do it with my eyes closed. It has become so easy and comfortable.

Unexpectedly, God spoke to me through a book I was reading, titled Singapore: The Air-Conditioned Nation by Cherian George.

Though it was a book about Singapore politics and not a Christian book, it was not the content that stirred me, but rather the title’s imagery of an “air-conditioned nation”.

This phrase made me ponder: have we created an air-conditioned church? 

What if I used this lens to reflect on church life? Here are three points I drew as I re-evaluated church and my perspective of the church.

1. An air-conditioned church makes comfort a priority 

The first thing about air-conditioning is that it is so comfortable. However, this desire for comfort can also creep into how a church runs its ministries.

When I reflect on the way I serve in ministry, we often emphasise physical comforts, such as climate-controlled rooms, convenient transportation, and palatable food.

But amidst all these busy plannings, are we neglecting the challenging, counter-cultural essence of Jesus’ teachings? 

Believers may be afraid to step out of their comfort zones to engage with the messy world, but that is what they are called to do, says the author. Photo by Melanie Lim from Unsplash.com.

The Apostle Paul’s experiences starkly contrast with our comfort-seeking tendencies:

“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

When did Christianity become about comfort? I was once ablaze with passion for God, but now am content to remain where I am. But the Lord challenges us to give more, to lay down our lives for His sake and the Gospel’s.

Oskar Schindler (portrayed by Liam Neeson in the movie) reportedly saved 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust, yet repented of not saving more.

The film Schindler’s List presents a sobering parallel to our spiritual lives. When Oskar Schindler realised that his possessions could have saved more lives, his comfortable existence became a source of deep regret. Similarly, our pursuit of spiritual comfort may one day haunt us.

Instead of seeking the minimum requirements of faith by asking, “Is this sinful?”, we should challenge ourselves with a bolder question: “How can I pour out more of myself for God’s glory?”

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

2. An air-conditioned church is closed off from the world 

Just as air conditioning seals off a room from the outside, we often shield ourselves from the “heat” of the world.

We know evangelism is crucial, yet we hesitate to step beyond our comfort zones. Why? My personal reflection is that I want to keep to my comfort and my sense of moral superiority. 

When we narrowly define holiness as moral living, we can become hesitant to engage with the messy world. What we often overlook is that true holiness naturally flows outward, as demonstrated by Jesus.

When I read the Scriptures, I see that Jesus, our perfect example of holiness, didn’t separate Himself from the world to maintain His purity. Instead, He deliberately walked among sinners and His holiness transformed lives.

Unlike the cool air of an air-conditioned room, His holiness wasn’t contained behind walls but flowed like living water to a parched world.

Deep relationship with God shouldn’t lead to isolation from the world, but rather empower believers to engage more deeply with it, says the author. Photo by John Cafazza from Unsplash.com.

Yes, engaging with the world is “hot” and messy. It invites people different from us into our lives.

But consider how Jesus chose to wash His disciples’ feet. He literally touched the dirtiest part of their lives. This powerful example demonstrated to us that deep relationship with God shouldn’t lead to isolation from the world, but rather empower us to engage more deeply with it.

True holiness, then, isn’t just about personal moral purity but, rather, comes from our intimate relationship with the Father that overflows into transformative engagement with others. 

After all, as Paul challenges us:

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” Romans 10:14-15

3. An air-conditioned church is unsustainable

Physical air conditioning, while providing temporary comfort, is environmentally unsustainable. Similarly, our inward-focused, comfort-seeking approach to faith is spiritually unsustainable for the church.

My reflection is that we need to step out of our comfort zone and be awakened from the comfort of our slumber. Our King is returning. This does not necessarily mean organising large-scale revivals or evangelistic rallies. Rather, it is about returning to the transformative power of God’s Word and Spirit.

The vision of dry bones in Ezekiel reminds us that true life comes from the Spirit of God:

“I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:12b-14

I think it is not about the scale or quality of an event. I pray that we will experience a spiritual revival by the Spirit, guiding and leading us to engage with the world.

Let’s be transformed from an air-conditioned church that keeps all the cool to itself, to one that offers cold water to a thirsty world, writes the author. Photo by Kit Suman from Unsplash.com.

When we are unsure how to proceed, we can rely on the Spirit’s guidance, as Jesus promised:

“And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:11

In the end, I pray that we will be transformed from an air-conditioned church that keeps all the cool to itself, to one that offers cold water to a thirsty world, a church marked by hospitality, grace, and the life-changing power of the Gospel.