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The Body
There was a man who was talking to his wife over breakfast one Sunday morning. He began telling her that he didn’t want to go to church anymore. He said to her, “We’ve been going to that church for 25 years now and I just realized that I can’t recall any of the messages the Pastor has preached.” The wife let him vent for a few minutes and then asked her husband, “Do you remember what you had for breakfast last Sunday?” He began to think and said, “No.” She then asked, “How about two Sundays ago or three Sundays ago?” Again, his answer was “No.”
She then said to him, “Well, don’t you think those meals were just as important as the one you’re eating right now?” He looked at her puzzled trying to figure out where she was going with this and said, “Well, yes, I suppose.” She continued, “Well, just like you need that food each and every day for you to stay alive, you also need that “Spiritual food” from the Pastor to keep you going from week to week.” They ended up going to church that morning and the subject never came up again.
I don’t go to church because I have to or because someone makes me. I go because I need to. People look at me crazy when I tell them that I’m at the church 5-6 times a week. Truthfully, when I’m away from the church for awhile, I truly miss it. No one has to force me to go. I go because I know that God has something there for me. I know that God’s going to speak to me. I know that I will hear from Him when I go.
Now I know that not everyone is at the same level of commitment as I am. Some are more and some are less, but I believe it is important to attend church. In Hebrews 10:24-25 the writer says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Now, just to clarify, I have nothing against Televangelists. I enjoy watching a message on television every now and again. There are many mighty preachers and teachers that love God and are reaching people through TV. And I know that there are many people who can’t attend a regular church service due to illness or location. But for those who are able, I do believe that it is important.
Too many Christians are living unfulfilled lives. They jump around from church to church, from program to program trying to find that sense of belonging. Many will leave the church because of a simple argument or because the Pastor says something that might offend them. What people don’t realize is that Pastors are human too. They make mistakes. Just because the Pastor didn’t say hi to you last Sunday doesn’t mean that he was ignoring you or that he doesn’t like you.
Now, there are certain situations where God calls you to move on to another church or a different ministry. There are certain cases where false doctrine is being preached and you need to move on. But, if you’re leaving out of anger, or bitterness, or resentment or any reason that doesn’t line up with scripture, then you’re leaving for the wrong reason. If you stop going to church because someone hurt you and you can’t forgive them, then that’s the wrong reason. But, if you can leave with love in your heart and you have a peace within about it, then maybe it’s time to move on. Ask yourself these questions, “If I leave would I be welcomed back? Would I feel uncomfortable visiting? Is God calling me somewhere else, or am I making the decision”
My Pastor talks about how sometimes people leave the church because the church isn’t providing a certain ministry that they feel it should be providing. If there’s a ministry you believe the church should have, then there’s one of two things God is showing you. Either you are called to pray for this ministry that God will raise someone up to start it, or maybe, God put this ministry in your heart so that you would be the one to start it.
Going to church shouldn’t be something you do. It’s not a religious act. It’s something we are apart of. We should all be involved in one shape or another. I’m not saying everyone is called to full-time ministry, but we all have a part in the Body of Christ. Maybe it’s taking one Sunday a month to help out in the children’s ministry. Maybe it’s volunteering to help with church clean-up. Maybe it’s serving as an usher or being on the worship team or working security. Whatever it is, we all should contribute. That’s what builds a strong church, when everybody does their part. And that’s what builds the Body of Christ, when we all come together to help out where there is need. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
I don’t know why God put this in my heart this week. Maybe you’re thinking about quitting going to church. Maybe you feel unfulfilled where you are at. Maybe God’s challenging you to get more involved. Whatever it is, know that the church needs you, just as much as you need the church.
w/muchluv,
geno
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