From time to time, people need to be reminded of the vision. Whether in the workplace, a church, or within your own family, we have to be refocused to remember what is truly important.
Here is your reminder for today:
The local church wasn’t established to create amenities for your enjoyment but ministries for your service.
Somewhere along the way, our focus shifted away from bringing service, offerings, and worship to our local churches to shopping for a church to attend.
Newsflash: The local church was not created to be under your control.
Worship is not about your preferences.
Church budgets are not intended to make you comfortable.
It is about Jesus – His sacrifice, His mission, and His redemption.
For many of us, our focus has shifted toward the amenities we get from the church rather than the commitment we should make to a local congregation.
Let me explain.
My family loves to travel. We aim to take a few long trips a year and schedule in little weekend getaways as our schedules will allow.
After we pick our destination, the next task is lodging. Praise Jesus for Orbitz! I try not to spend hours looking through all of the hotels listed on travel sites, but they have so much to offer! As I click away, I have a list of needs in the back of my head: swimming pool, workout room, free breakfast, cable, free parking, and free internet. Throw in a few other extras and I’m going to book your hotel!
For many, we view the church the same way we view a hotel – “If I’m giving money, it better have the amenities we want!”
As we search for churches we start looking through our list: energetic kids’ ministry, event-filled student calendars, workout facilities/family life centers, coffee shops, encouraging messages, a specific worship style, warm small groups, and on and on.
What if God has called your young family to a church where there are no other young families so that, through your attendance, you could reach other young families in that community?
What if you are supposed to be the only college student in that church because God is going to start a ministry through your service?
The church wasn’t designed for amenities, but ministries. Our expectations must shift from “getting” to “giving.”
The early church in the book of Acts NEVER walked away from the home groups and said, “I would have connected more with Jesus if the bass guitar was a little louder…”
Early followers of Jesus were far more concerned about what they could bring to the table of worship instead of receive from a gathering of believers.
Stop shopping for a church. The Gospel isn’t something that you purchase – it has already been purchased for you!
Are you treating church like a hotel – looking for your must-have list?
Now, having a framework for what you expect a church to be is acceptable. We all have expectations. Just make sure your expectations are not hindering you from committing to a church in which you could both grow deeply and serve faithfully.
Here are a few questions you should ask when you visit a new church:
- Does this church worship, teach, and preach Jesus?
- Have we prayed about joining this church?
- Are there opportunities for us to grow spiritually in a community of believers?
- Are there opportunities for us to serve the church and community?
- Is this church in my community?
Don’t give up on a congregation because they don’t meet your preconceived “needs.” Perhaps you have been placed there to minister in a way the congregation is unable to.
What questions do you think of when you consider a new church?
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