Church Shopping

Something that has bothered me for years has been those in the Church who "church shop." I saw it as a kid. When someone left the church over something petty, chances were good they would eventually return. After all, they would never be happy.

This morning I received an illustration that I think is right on. Friend and fellow pastor Brian Jones writes Non-Religious Devotional Thoughts. You can find out more at www.BrianJones.com This installment is called Connoisseurs of Fine Churches. Enjoy!



Connoisseurs of Fine Churches
By Brian Jones


After church services one Sunday a couple greeted me on their way out the door. By their cologne and big jewelry and cliché Christian lingo I knew they weren't our typical non-religious visitors. "Pastor, what an anointed word from God you delivered today," the husband said. I cringed. The only people that talk that way are on Christian television.

I swallowed and said, "Hope to see you next week."

His wife looked at me with a grin, "Nope. We won't be back. Years ago the Lord told us to attend a different church every week. So we'll be somewhere else next Sunday."

I said, "Let me get this straight. You go to a different church every week?"

"Yep," he said, "been doing it for five years now."

I said, "How sad."

"Why do you say that?" she angrily shot back.

"Because," I said, "you never get to experience real Christian community. You're, like, connoisseurs of fine churches or something. My hunch is it wasn't the Lord who called you to do this. You need to find a church and put down roots."

Needless to say they didn't come back.

It's sad, really.

We've become a nation of church shoppers. If the preaching gets boring at our church, we pull out the yellow pages. If the worship style changes, we go to First Church's early service. If our Sunday school class starts to get too impersonal, we don't sweat it, we try the hot new church in town.

We Christians change churches like we change favorite restaurants.

I'm sure that makes God sad.

In the New Testament there are dozens and dozens of things Christians are told to do. Leaving one another is not one of them.

In fact, we're told to do the exact opposite.

Is there someone at your church you can't stand? 1 John 3:11 tells us to "Love one another."

Did the pastor at your fellowship hurt your feelings? Colossians 3:13 says, "Forgive one another."

Do the attitudes of the people in your body need to change? James 5:16 says, "Pray for one another."

In other words, roll up your sleeves and do the hard work of building community where you are. Don't go AWOL spiritually. Stick it out, through exciting times and boring times. Pray, serve, love, forgive, sacrifice, and resolve like authentic followers of Jesus.

My parents started attending Eastpointe Christian Church when they were both in the 7th grade. They're now in their 60's. They've never attended another church. Over the past 50 years they've seen quite a lot. They lived through the "clapping in church" controversy of 1975 as well as the mediocre church softball team of the early 90's. They've seen people get married, have children, and those children get married and have children. They've seen hundreds of people come to Christ and some of those people fall by the wayside. They've buried dear friends. They've served with great pastors and mediocre pastors and experienced great worship and boring worship. Through calm years and tumultuous years, my parents have given and served and prayed their entire lives in that one church.

One day in the future my mom and dad will pass, as you and I will. But right before that happens they'll be able to do something someone who has spent their life church shopping cannot; they'll look back and savor the memories a lifetime of faithful service in one congregation brings.

They'll look back and relish the dangerous conversations they didn't avoid, sins they were encouraged to confront, and authentic Christians friendships it took a generation to develop.

Jesus wants you to experience the same thing.

I'm sure you know this already, but it's worth repeating. That "perfect church" you're looking for already exists. You attended it last Sunday.


Any thoughts?

Simple is Better!

I've become convinced that many in the Church have made the Gospel much more difficult than it actually is. In other words, churches elevate traditions to something equal with Scripture. Oh, they would never admit to doing it. But ask someone in the Church what it means to be saved and check me on this. More than likely, their response will be something other than "Love God and Love others." If they respond with that phrase, they might be on to something. After all, when questioned by the legalists of the day, Jesus' response was as simple as "Love God and love others." The Gospel of John points out that Jesus was going to show his followers "the full extent of his love", just prior to serving them by washing their feet.

Recently, I had a conversation with someone who was struggling with their faith. Their objection to God wasn't to be found. However, this person had "issues" with the Church - specifically people who claim to belong to the Church. Let me share with you a few things this person said to me. "Church is all about rules. I can't smoke. I can't drink. I can't dance. I can't have fun. I can't...I can't...I can't...It's like the Church is the moral police."

The more I've thought about her words and although they're perhaps a bit over-generalized, I think her words carry some weight. Why is it that we tell those searching for God to conform to our ways (and not His)? Why is it that we think we have it all figured out and no one else does? Why is it that the Church is always right (or at least we think we are)? Why is it that we turn souls away from God by acting the way we do from time to time?

The message Jesus brought was pretty simple really. Notice I didn't say living up to the messsage was simple. I said the message itself is easy to understand. When those in the Church make the Gospel more about morality, rules, and regulations, we miss the message altogether. The irony is we condemn the Pharisees for their attitudes and then we're quick to establish some rules. Maybe it's time for a return to simplicity.

What do you think?

Short Break

Short break....back in a few! Thanks for checking in from time to time.

Blessings,

m

Help!

I've come across something that I need some help on from my "blogosphere counselors". In no way will I try to bias your view by what I believe. However, because I'm a bit confused, my feelings might be evident in the following.

The community here has participated in Relay For Life for several years. For those who don't know, RFL is an opportunity to raise money for the American Cancer Society, while recognizing survivors and remembering those who have passed. Without boring you with too many details, teams will raise money and gather at the city park to walk for their pledges. It's an all-night event where organizers hope to have 250-500 people in attendance.

A local church in town had plans to minister at this event. Their plans didn't include having a team walk (although they have participated in the past and plan to do so again in the future). This year, the church had planned to be on site throughout the night and give water, juice, and fruit to those participating in other ways.

The organizers have been made aware of the church's intentions and will not allow the church to complete their plans. The church has been told they're welcome as long as they sell water, juice, and fruit. Leadership at the church has the concern if they sell and then give the money to RFL those who purchase the drinks and fruit will perceive the church selling (instead of ministering by giving). In other words, this is a question of perception. How might the community respond to a church who sacrifices their time to give versus a church that sells products?

In an effort to appease the local organizers, the church has offered to write a check for several hundred dollars and then give. They don't want to be perceived as the rebellious church in town. Once again, they have been told this would not be possible. The organizers have turned down the money because of their policy of giving things away.

Any thoughts here?

1 Peter (4)

By his great mercy he has given us a new birth...

A new birth signifies a new life. Jesus told Nicodemus "No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above" (Jn 3:3). Does Peter have this dialogue in his mind when he pens his letter? Maybe so.

Later in his letter, Peter defines what he means by "new birth". You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God (1:23)

Peter states this birth is into a living hope (1:4) Have you ever observed someone without hope? The Apostle Paul mentions non-believers as having no hope (Eph 2:12). Peter could have begun his letter in many ways. However, one of the first things he offers is hope. The Christian must understand what Christ has done for them - even in the midst of persecution.

One other thing, when it comes to new birth, John writes, "...for whoever is born of God conquers the world, our faith" (1 Jn 5:4). That's the hope Peter is speaking of.

During this Easter season, we remember what Christ Jesus has done for us. We remember the thirty-nine lashes, the mocking, the sin placed upon Him, the gruesome death, and the burial. And then we remember the tomb being empty, Jesus appearing to his followers, the restoration of Peter (among others), and the hope He gives. That's the hope Peter speaks of. That's the hope that we must continue to attempt to understand.

Any thoughts?

Theology Snack #8

People often disagree (and sometimes argue) about the affect of water baptism in a person's life. One side believes baptism happens only after "regeneration" takes place. Others, obviously, would disagree. In my tradition, baptism is seen as part of the salvation process - so much so that often times Restoration churches are accused of water regeneration.

The label water regenerationist makes me squirm. In other words, I don't believe there's anything in the water that is magical that will save an individual. However, making Jesus Lord/master of one's life includes adhering to his examples and commands. It's for this reason, I believe water baptism to be important. One other thing about water baptism: Is it strictly for an individual or is there some impact on the community?

If a person is convicted of his/her need for Christ as savior, doesn't it make sense that the person be obedient to what Scripture teaches?

Thoughts about these questions? Or any questions yourself?

Heaven's Perfect Melody

God loves us more than we can ever know. What Christ did for us cannot be minimized. Matt Redman tries to describe it for us here.



Be blessed!