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2013-05-07 - Churches
Matthew 18:20 NASB. "For where two or three have gathered
together in My name, I am there in their midst"
Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt
His name together!"
Colossians 3:16. "Let the word of Christ richly dwell
within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to
God."
We have churches everywhere here in South Carolina. I think it's probably
a one-to-one ratio, as far as places to eat and places to worship. Big churches,
small churches, churches of every denomination imaginable, and churches that
claim to not be associated with any denomination, churches that are "traditional"
with organs and hymnals, and churches that are "contemporary" with praise
bands and lyrics up on a screen. We have churches that meet in buildings
with steeples, that meet in school gymnasiums or houses, and that hold services
on Saturday nights as well as on Sunday mornings. We have churches that offer
services in several languages, including sign language, and services that
are broadcast on TV. We have churches that focus on outreach to various
populations, through programs like Celebrate Recovery, Grief Share, and Divorce
Care.
The funny thing is, I talk to people, on an almost daily basis, who are having
trouble finding a church they feel "comfortable" attending. That word means
a lot of different things, but the bottom line is, lots of people are searching
for a church to belong to and not finding one. They say they want to be part
of a church community, to get involved, form relationships, worship, and
grow spiritually. They shop around and check places out, but don't settle
in anywhere, for one reason or another. Many people have given up, and just
don't go at all anymore.
Some have had very negative experiences that have left them suspicious and
very skeptical about churches and "church people." This is a very serious
problem when it happens, but reasons for not finding the "right" church aren't
that drastic for most folks. So why is finding, and staying involved in,
a church so often problematic? I don't wonder in a judgmental way, because
I've been through the same thing, myself. I wonder out of true curiosity
and concern. Is the problem with churches, or with the people who are (or
are not) getting involved? I'm not sure. All I can come up with is some "maybes."
Maybe churches aren't doing such a good job of being welcoming or relevant.
Maybe we get too into church jargon and routines sometimes, so that visitors
feel like "outsiders" who don't know what to do or how to act. Maybe we seem
too judgmental and focused on appearances at times. It seems that some churches
are more sensitive to these issues than others, just from what I observe.
Maybe we're not meeting both practical and spiritual needs as well as we
could be. Maybe each church has strengths in one area, but isn't as strong
in others, such as having great ministries for teens but not younger children,
for example. Maybe people have unreasonable expectations of what churches
can be and do.
Maybe the problem is our consumer culture mentality. Maybe too many options
makes us way too particular. We want everything to be a "perfect" fit. Of
course, its important that churches be Biblically/doctrinally sound, but
we don't have to "like" every single person or agree with every single detail
of how things are done to be part of a church. In many countries, believers
face jail, torture, and various types of persecution to meet together and
worship. They don't have a church on every corner so that they can pick and
choose, and come and go openly, the way we do here. They don't have all the
resources and materials we have for music and study. Believers in such locations
risk their lives to go to church and truly value the Bibles and study materials
they have.
Maybe that reminder sounds like telling a child they should love vegetables,
because kids in other countries are starving. I mention it simply to try
and bring some perspective. The bottom line is, God tells us it is good for
us to meet together, to study and praise and pray as a unified group. He
made us with that need for relationships with Him and with other people.
He wants us to be attached to a group of people who can help us, challenge
us, and support us. Like all families, church families aren't perfect. Nothing
this side of Heaven is going to be perfect.
If you are searching for a new church home (whatever the reason), I pray
that God would show you where He wants you to be, and the church family He
wants you to be a part of. He knows your heart. If you are sincerely seeking
Him in this, as in all areas of your life, He will lead you and help you
to know where He wants you and what He wants you to do. Rely on Him, not
your own immediate judgment of a particular church, when seeking clarity
about this important matter.
If you have found a church home where you are meaningfully connected with
other believers, being nurtured and challenged spiritually, and feel able
to use the gifts and talents God has given you, then I'm so glad. Take a
moment to thank God for leading you to where you are, and for your church
or small group. Thank Him for how you've grown, as part of this church, and
pray that your church would continue to be what God wants it to be. Pray
for the ministries of other churches, and for those who are searching for
a church to belong to.
I think this "church thing" is worth a lot of thought and prayer. I believe
God is challenging us to take this matter more seriously. I hope and pray
that we can all find, and remain part of, the church or spiritual community
that is "right" for us.
Carmella
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
CFD | May 2013
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