This Sunday...
In January of this year I wrote this:
"I have a question for everyone out there, and I would love your feedback. The question is simple, why do people go to church? Why do people give money to the church? Or , if you don't go to church, why do you think people go to church. Personally, I'm really wrestling with the question, why does the church exist? This is a hard question because for the past 10 years I have worked at a church, and now I'm questioning why does the church exist? Now, I still believe in the church, and I love working at a church, but I just would love to know why people go!"
Well by this Sunday I'd better have an answer because I have to tell a crowd of 300 people why we get together on Sunday morning to do the things we do. Now, I won't get in to all the details right now of what I'm going to say, but believe me I've been thinking about it a lot, and in my mind I have some answers as to why we get together on Sunday morning.
By the way, if you are coming to the Vineyard on Sunday it is going to be a fun service. It will be completely different than what we have done before, but it will be fun.
p.s - Please feel free to share your thoughts concerning why you go to church - any thoughts you have. I'm a big enough person to take negative thoughts as well.
5 comments:
I have to be honest with you. I am just not drawn to church anymore. I skip it more than i go. I feel bad for missing..I really do. I used to tithe faithfully, until I found out that the Pastor was "taxing" every offering 20%. I know that a huge majority of pastors don't do that, but I was throwing in 5-600 a month. I haven't tithed since. I would rather meet with some friends in a livingroom and call that church. I've had it with building projects, and BIG OFFERING SUNDAY. (you know, the one they prep you for 4-5 months) I'm at a loss for what to do. I'm coming under fire from friends at church, because "I never see you there anymore." I'm at a crossroad I feel. Do I go back to church again, or look for a small group and call it good. Help me pastor.
why do we go to church? This is interesting, but I know we all have wandering minds especially in the world we live in. I know I go to Church for God, to worship God, to feel closer to God and to rejuvinate myself for the work of Gods kingdom, sure there are the weeks that my mind wander and I am tired, but my heart is drawn to God and to the family that I have in the Church. After a recent mission trip, I couldn't wait to get back to my church, my family in God and know that I can share with my heart open. Alot of people have anxiety and I think feel judged by the church, but I feel like we need to remember it is not about what people think about us or how we dress for church it is about our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and using what God has put in our hearts. I think to often we forget to take the time to have a personal relationship with God, so many people get caught up in the doing and eventually feel burned out by the church. Think about the new testmant and about the Isrealites and how it seems so weird all the cleansing, sacraficing, and blessings that they had to go through and then the Church really seems quite wonderful. The Church exists because God exists!
To the people above - thank-you so much for your comments. I really appreciate them. And to the person who has been hurt by the church, first of all I'm sorry. I apologize for those who have taken advantage of you and others. Perhaps it would be good for you during this time to get some fellow believers together on Sunday and study the Bible and encourage each other. Personally, I think that is church too. The biggest thing is that you are in community with other people. Don't isolate yourself. Make sure you are talking with others about your past hurts, etc.
personally when I think back, i tend to hear God more in the quiet moments, or in a small group Bible study, or in the random spontaneous happenings that are part of this crazy life we live.
and honestly sometimes i wonder why do I/we need to go to church when it seems God connects so much more powerfully in other things.
but the Bible is consistant in urging believers to come together, to be a community. So regardless of the sermon series, music, friends, etc... I go to church because I believe there is a greater good that God has in mind when His people come together. We may not always feel it like we do at other times, but nonetheless He is there and He is working, and the church - the body - the community is a good thing!
"the church" is bigger than sunday services. I think people don't always realize that. She (the church) is meant to be a home base - a common ground - for us as believers. One important thing I believe as being a church goer is that when a community comes together (in this case the community is a church) opportunities to serve the world and to love people multiply. There is only so much one person can do on their own but when people come together anything is possible...we can change the world...I know Jesus believed that ;)
Brad - thanks for your great thoughts. I too have felt the same way. Personally, I've experienced God in huge ways outside of Sunday mornings - like in the mountains of Colorado, hanging out with friends, playing with my daughers, etc.
But I think one of the reasons we get together on Sunday is to just get together - becasue you never know what is going to happen when we come together. You never know what God has in mind.
Thanks again for your great thoughts.
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