I thought i knew the recipe for a successful in a church. Now, I wonder sometimes, how much we think about our personal purpose with in the church that we are part of. My perspective has changed over the years. I have seen a lot happen that brings me to the conclusion that I now have- so this brings me to the question-
Do you attend church for what you personally get out of it, or do you go to pour yourself into the lives of others?
An Incorrect View of a Church- Does This Church Make ME Happy?
I often read and respond to questions and comments regarding attending church and engaging in a church. There are so many people who have an incorrect view of why the church (Global and Local) exists.
There are far too many people who go to church for what they receive from attending or being part of a church.
The right way to view is- what can I do for my church?
The problem is if you’re looking for a church to make you happy, you’ll be always disappointed. With this attitude you end up super judgemental and scrutinise it at every turn.
As soon as that church no longer makes you happy, you become dissatisfied, and end up leaving finding somewhere else to go – or you will stop going altogether. There is NO such thing as a perfect church so you will continue looking and be wander from one church to the next.
Don’t get me wrong – we need to be discerning about the church leadership and ask the questions,
Is this Church teaching the full gospel of God?
Is this church for me?
Does the Lord want me to be part of this church?
if the answer to these few questions is yes- then you need to ride the rough times that every churches experiences and support it regardless.
Does My Church Feed Me?
When you are a new Christian, you just accept what comes your way and are so grateful that your sins are forgiven- forever. Sometimes those who have been believers for a long time expect to be fed a certain “spiritual diet”. It seems that big spiritual words that few understand are better along with some Greek and Hebrew!
I went to two Christian colleges and university, I learned a lot. However, I don’t believe that I must be constantly fed more and more head knowledge. In fact, I am still learning to live more like Christ day to day and how to put into action more and more of His Word. Living for, and like Christ is far more important than having a head full of deep theology.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-2
Many of us have been believers for several years and want to eat this so called “spiritual diet.” The apostle Paul writes about eating meat, versus the milk of the Word, If we view this verse in context, he’s address a rift in the church as they go over and over again the rite of baptism, salvation and the resurrection etc. Paula is telling them to get on with living the gospel and stop trying it into some dead religious exercise.
But today many take this out of contest, and believe the church ‘owes’ them something and they must feel that they are spiritual fed.
But do we have to get fed “meat” at our own local church?
As I was studying this topic, I came across the verses also about “Am I of Paul, or Apollos or Peter?” in I Corinthians. This passage reminds me that I don’t have to get my spiritual teaching only by my Pastor at my own church. I also need to take responsibly of my own spiritualty and study the Word on my own! I need to learn to feed myself!
So many resources are available now, such as Christian radio, Podcasts, Books, Seminars and the Internet. We can get fed “spiritual meat”, very easily. Scripture tells us also to encourage each other at church too.
Do you look for what you can get only at church, or do you try to give to newer believers, seekers or anyone who wants to learn, while at your local church?
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13
Discipleship – is Feeding Others
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Again, we must take responsibly of own our spiritualty to be able to make disciples successfully.
Do you “Pour” into others’ lives? If not, are you willing to? How about investing in a new believer or one who needs to understand the Word of God better?
Jesus had 12 disciples that He chose to invest in. Do you have someone in your sights or a few people that you can invest in?
Too many times, we get caught up in buying and gaining more and more, and then we take that world view into our church life. Its a ‘giv-my’ culture instead of laying ones life down for others.
