The weather in the tri-state has been wonderful, especially in the mornings and evenings. So nice in fact, I have opened the doors on my home for the cool breeze. Maybe you have, too.

This got me to thinking about a bigger concern or change or trend, whatever you wish to call it. There was a time when it was necessary to open the doors and windows of your home to control the temperature. It is why porches were so needed, too.

The fortunate and ancillary benefit was interpersonal contact with one’s neighbors. If it was hot in one house, it was hot in every house. People were forced to move outside not realizing the silver lining in all of it.

As we close our doors to the outside world and isolate ourselves with media, video games, and perpetual connectedness to “social” networks, we lose much more than we gain.

The first church to be established is described in the biblical text is the following manner,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Sounds a lot like an open door to me.

I then started wondering about my church and asking myself how much we like them are. While I am happy to report we meet many of the above descriptors for a healthy church, there is always the challenge to be more in opening the doors of the church to everyone.

How about your church?

I believe it is a truism that anything worth doing is worth doing well. Church is no different. Faith is certainly not different. The first Christians experienced what you and I can only read about. They witnessed Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. If the biblical text is to believe, that knowledge far surpasses our familiarity with Jesus. We may rightly protest at their good fortune in seeing him in person.

On another occasion, I will speak about the consumer side of church and all the trappings of religiosity by exploring everything from small church to mega-church offerings, but the fundamentals for faith communities cannot be ignored. I believe this passage in scripture is transcendent for all adherents to Christianity. It is timeless in its simplicity.

If each of us considers deeply our desire for such a community, then very soon, the door will be open for all.

Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ. He can be reached at kent@canyon-church.com.