Tag Archives: church

Church: Have It Your Way

A friend’s blog recently put a germ of a thought in my head. She discussed types of church and which was best.

This got me thinking, I know scary. First, I searched the verses and wonder what God said about the churches. Then, my focus changed to what do I like in a church.

1) Bible Studies (I love bible studies)

2) I prefer a teaching preacher to fire and brimstone preacher

3) A church should have outreach

4) A church should love

Then, God convicted my heart. What if it’s not about me? At least, not what I get out of the church.

At one time, I belonged to a church that was falling apart. The preacher had a nervous breakdown, the music leader left, the youth leader left, the children’s minister left. I was a Sunday School teacher and we were moving in a few months. I thought it would be great to move to a more together church for those few months. Go to bible studies and have a consistent environment. I prayed and prayed. Each and every time I asked God what I should do, He told me to stay and shore up the church. Today that church is one of the Mega Churches with a well known pastor.

Another time, I belonged to a church as close to what I believe a church should be. And from this church, God called me out and sent me to a dysfunctional church. I went kicking and screaming.

There I meet a woman who is the Pied Piper of bringing kids to church. She is a proper lady, very conservative, but she loves everyone. She cared for the single moms, their kids, the drug addict and the person struggling. Not in some abstract make a donation way. She gave her money, but she also brought the individuals with her to church. She picked them up if they needed a ride. God sent me to help her with the kids. He wanted me to serve. He wanted me to be her helper.

Which reminds me of Brother Craven, I have been talking about the people who influenced my early life. This man every Sunday drove an old school bus through the town picking up kids. I rode that bus. My mom would have taken me if the bus had not, but those Sunday mornings were special. We drove through town singing together picking up kids who would not have had a way to church. This man served. This man gave to the church without any real recognition or acclaim. Church was about how he could serve not how he could be served. And I thank him for picking me up every Sunday.

I confess, but I don’t think I am alone, when looking for a church I want a place that provides me with those things I like and I want a church that recognizes my talents. A place where I can write, teach or serve God in some nice way.

But maybe we are called to go into a church that is none of the things we want in a church. Maybe we join the church that has no love and we love the unloveable. Maybe we find a church that doesn’t have the funds for janitors and we offer to clean (this one hurts). Maybe we offer to help in any way we can.

A woman who was over programs at the first church I mentioned once told me people always have a million suggestions of how to make the church better, but when you suggest they take charge and do it, no one has the time. Maybe we need to find a church that is looking for someone to do all the things that no one wants to do and join–even if we have to roll up our sleeves and push a mop. Yikes!!

As I write this, I admit I would rather not. I want a comfy church. A place that recognizes my talents and loves on me. But I think God calls us to serve. Jesus told us to wash the feet of our brother and sisters. Jesus told us to not sit in the best seats at the dinner table but to take the lower seat assuming nothing. We are to be lowly, humble and the servant. And as much as it goes against our natures, we are to serve without expecting anything in return–not even a thank-you. Jesus will tell you thank you in person.

And if I think that I am better than all that. If I believe I should hold a position of power. Or I should be pampered. I need to take a second look at Jesus’ life. He loved and he served. Do I think I deserve better then my Lord.

Cindy Helped Me Find the Happy Side of Life

Strange the moments you recall forever.  I remember that moment in church when I accepted Christ, but I also recall minutes later standing outside the church waiting for my mom.  I stood there wondering what I would tell my mom and wondering what my decision meant.

For a little bit of time, it did not mean much.  Life slipped back to normal.  I didn’t continue going to church.

Then a Christian Band played at my school.  (Public school–times have changed.)  They advertised they were having a concert over the weekend so I went with my friend Cindy.

I knew that being a Christian meant more than just saying one prayer, but I didn’t know what was expected.  My friend Cindy told me to come to her church.  They had a new youth director.  The next morning I went to Sunday school and the youth director told us to return that night if we wanted to be part of the youth choir he was starting.

That church taught me what it meant to live as a Christian.  Without them, I would have been seed on a rock.

Matthew 13:18 Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

That night the youth choir (some times referred to as the Dirty Thirty) came to life.  We were a motley group.  Many just like me, a Christian whose family did not attend church.  But they became my Christian family and taught me about the Lord.  We were called The Happy Side Singers after a song “I found the Happy Side of Life”.  I can honestly say that not every day is joyous, but every day that I walk with Christ is filled with contentment.  I did find the Happy Side of Life.

The second person who had a crucial role in my Christian life was Cindy.  She asked me to come join her church.

A simple invitation changed me

549938_10151516636695090_692090491_nLet me back up a minute.  I started telling my tale of walking with Christ in the middle.

During my years of being a Christ follower many Christians have woven in and out of my life with varying amounts of influence.  But, as I reflect on my life, I recognize three people impacted my life in ways that changed me forever.

First person: Polly

Want to know the great exciting thing she did to change my life so significantly.  She asked me to go to church with her one Sunday.  Small act with a big impact.

My mom took me to church occasionally when I was younger and she read bible stories to me when I was really little.  But we were not a church going family.  Now as I reflect back, I can see God moving in my life even before this invitation.  Christians crossed my path and I saw their lives.  But it was a simple invitation that took this middle schooler to a place where I could meet Jesus personally.

Why did I go to church?  She was my friend.

I have no memory of the words in the sermon.  What I recall, like it was yesterday, was the Pastor asking if anyone in the church wanted to be a Christian.  I raised my hand.  And seconds later, and even at the time I had no memory of actually leaving my seat, I was standing in the front of the church.  A woman explained to me the very simple steps of how I could become a Christian.

Confess I was a sinner
Believe Christ is Lord and died for my sins
Ask Him to be my personal Lord and Savior.

From that moment my life was never the same.  It would take two more people to get me on the right path.

But today, I thank Polly for inviting a friend to Church.

I praise and thank Christ for dying for my sins and saving my soul.