I’ve written about this before, but have always trashed it, due to my need to be politically correct… in a public forum anyway, but the time has come, and now I write once again…
Have you ever been “between” churches? Ya know what I mean? For whatever reason, you are without a church “home” and are in the process of visiting different churches …
We are. It’s not fun. It’s depressing. Last week we visited a church, and the family behind us talked through the entire service, except during a baptism. They didn’t even whisper. We just leaned forward a bit and tried to focus…
Maybe you don’t know what I mean, because you are one of those super cool, laid back, secure Christians, that can go just about anywhere and be confident that you will fit right in and all will be well. Nothing bothers you – you probably wouldn’t have had one bad thought about those people behind us…
I wish I were more like you. I don’t understand why I can’t just find a church that keeps it simple, keeps it biblical, and keeps it focused. A church that puts more into discipleship then the sound system, and encourages and equips parents to parent, instead of wooing the youth into a Christian, socially relevant sub culture. A place where there is community outreach 24-7… not once a quarter, or in the summer, or just those awesome Christmas shoeboxes… Men’s ministry should be a priority, as well as the widow, orphan and the single mom’s… Is it too much to ask for? Have we forgotten that the #1 way people come to Christ and to Church is because someone invited them?
The early church grew because they were loving and caring for one another. They were sharing and eating and just doing real life together. “Sunday Christians” were not even considered Christians. Being a Christ follower was a way of life, not a weekly event… Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Are we all too busy with our own lives that we can’t see what has been demonstrated for us? So, instead of re-focusing and setting our priorities within a Christian community, we spend time and money on programs, and impressive music sets and appealing decorations and topical sermons that are more like self help seminars to draw people in…
But guess what? All of that can be found a mile down the road in another church, but authentic community, now that’s a treasure worth finding and keeping. Really. **
The Fellowship of the Believers Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
** Obviously, this is a deep topic, that I have given a very short post for… I do understand the complexities of community, and I also don’t expect to find a “perfect” church… but a girl can dream, can’t she?