Why are you going to church?
A little while ago I was accidentally sent an email from someone in another section at work. The email had 1 simple question, in a field where there is so much to be proud of, what would you say is your greatest accomplishment in life? (stipulation… being married or having kids can not be your answer) Well, the email had accomplished its task because I started to ponder this question and for the life of me could not come up with an answer. A week or so later I wandered down to this individual's office to speak to him about his questions that had at this point now broken my spirit. The conversation was deep and went on for almost 2 hours. There were a lot of different subjects and questions asked at that time that made me think about myself and how I live my life. The question that came up that hit home for me though was what do you do at work? Are you coming to work just to come to work or do you have a purpose that you carry forward? As someone who has spent almost 18 years working and advancing through the same organization, I had to stop and think; did I truly still feel purpose in what I was doing? I am pleased to say that since that conversation I have answered the questions and can emphatically say, yes I still have purpose in coming to work every day. This led me to another question though. Growth and purpose are important in all aspects of life not just work. I thought to myself, where else can I afford to grow?….EVERYWHERE! The big one that came to mind though was Church and really why was I going to church? Was I truly taking everything away from church that I could be?
You see My wife has been on a journey of discovery and faith, and through this journey, I have watched her grow into one of the most amazing people I have ever known. Watching her and what she has become has made me want to follow a similar path. I started going back to church, something that I wasn't sure would ever be a thing again. I grew up in the church going for years through middle and high school. Over time I started to have doubts though, not doubts in Christ, but rather in the people leading and attending church. Slowly I stopped going altogether. Fast forward many years and here I was again, in church every Sunday listening to the reverend's message. But why was I going to church? I don't need to go to church to have a relationship with God, I can do that from anywhere. So why was I going? Was it to satisfy a need, was it to say I am a good Christian, what was the intent?
Just as I had to remind myself of my purpose at work, it was time to dig in and refocus but this time on my faith. So where do I start… this part was easy, the Bible, the living word! My wife always says that if you want to have a relationship with God or need to know what he thinks about something all you have to do is open your bible. It took some research and perhaps a little cheating from Google but I found my starting point, the Apostle Paul! Paul described the Church as a body, and the head of that body is Jesus. For the body to function properly though, every member is important and every member must show up. Paul said in
Ephesians 4:11-16 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ok, so I'm showing up, but why am I showing up? This one took me a little more time to answer, and it hit me when I was invited to a leadership seminar for Christians. The point of the seminar boils down to one simple fact, as believers in Christ we are all Disciples of Christ. Perhaps at different stages but Disciples nonetheless. When I understood this, the rest of the answers just started coming to me, the Bible started to speak.
I go to church to learn,
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
If I am to be a disciple I need to continue learning from those more knowledgeable than myself, The members of the church are always helpful and the Reverend's messages are always impactful.
I go to church to worship and sing the praises of the Lord Almighty.
I go to church for fellowship, to be around like-minded individuals whom I can learn from, people I can speak to about my faith who I can worship with, and who will help me grow in my faith.
Hebrews 10:25 Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
I need that, and I'm sure many others can benefit from it.
I go to church to Serve, to learn to Serve God, to better serve my Church, My fellow Christian, my fellow man, my Community, and my family.
1 Peter 4:10-11 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen
All of this help helps me be a better Christian, helps me be a better person and to the point of this writing, all of this helps me be a better Disciple of Christ as we all are. I know why I’m a believer, I know why I am a follower. I go to church because everything I mentioned above helps me to not only be a better version of myself but a better Christian. I go to Church because every time I go it strengthens my resolve and my knowledge so that when the time comes I may be able to help someone else understand the importance of Jesus in their lives. Wherever they are now, and not where that person may think they need to be before they can come to Jesus. Soooo, the big question is, Why are you going to Church, or why not? Can you answer that question directly or like me do you have to think about it? There are many other reasons to go to church and they are all valid, but deep down what is your purpose in being there, and are you truly reaching your full potential, are you meeting this purpose?
Think about this, Pray about this, and then pass it on to others.
Until next time
Awall
