Hi all, sorry for the long delay between letters but CHRISTmas just ran into New Years. Speaking of which, may we all have a great and truly God Eye opening New Year in 2008.
I was just contemplating what to me is almost an epidemic in the Christian world, where we see more and more people Church hopping and never dedicating themselves to where God has them planted. You read hear and see all the reasons under the sun as to why people have shifted churches, but not many add up in a biblical way. Are we just too consumer-driven when it comes to “finding a good church”?
All sorts of reasons are heard; "they have nothing for youth", "it's to hot", "the preacher is boring", "it's not this or not that", "I should be in ministry now". Rarely do you hear "I am here to give my best and help facilitate God's dream no matter the cost. I am not my own I am bought at a price, so I am planted till God moves me".
Seriously, even seasoned people who have walked the road a long time are pulling out of ministry and sitting back pointing out the things that are wrong, rather than facilitating the change that the body may be indeed in need of. It seems like it's easier not to make the effort and find the reasons why not, rather than "I will become the change I see that is needed." Now please hear this correctly, we are still having the same numbers in our church so it's not a reaction to numbers. But rather what I see spiritually and hear from around the state.
I wonder in my heart is there a spiritual connection to this mallaise?
CS Lewis brilliantly describes this in The Screwtape Letters. Screwtape, a senior devil instructing a subordinate on how to snare a human soul, writes: "If a man can't be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighbourhood looking for the church that 'suits' him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches. The search for a "suitable" church makes the man a critic where the Enemy wants him to be a pupil." Is this you?
In my mind don't you want a church where worship is about God and not entertainment? Do you want a place where wounded people come for divine healing, or where healthy people come for exercise? I believe that breaking the cycle of church-hopping is similar to breaking out of a pattern of unhealthy, addictive relationships. Essentially, it involves becoming much more realistic about what it is that a church is supposed to provide. Just as a spouse is not there to make you happy, solve your problems, and give meaning to your life, so too a church is not merely some spiritual socket that will endlessly recharge you every time you stick your plug in! I've come to realize that a good relationship with either a church or a friend requires tremendous patience, a willingness to sacrifice, and a hell of a sense of humor. Both relationships and churches work better when we ask not what they can do for us but what we can do for them.
Well those are some of my thoughts. Pastor Rob
