My biggest challenge for the last 6-8 months is finding a church.
Mostly because three years before that we were planting a church
and two years before that I wasn't going at all,
and the transistion has been less than smooth.
While the overwhelming excitement of a new adventure has been reinvigorating,
the process of finding a place
to connect with
community
service and
worship
is becoming stressful
It's like you have to start over from scratch
While trying to keep the community and mission that you started over three years ago
What should we look for in a church?
What are the signs of a healthy growing church?
How do you go from leadership to a visitor?
If I get everything that a church service can offer from outside sources...do I need to go to church?
I was listening to Judah Smith this morning.
He was at Passion 2013 this year talking about community
My thoughts that came from his sermon are reflected in my
blog posts community Part one and Part two
While I was re-listening to his sermon
a major point stood out to me
Our main purpose is to reflect God.
When He created adam
there was one thing that God
said that was wrong with this picture
...he was alone
Everything else that God had made
reflected God's glory
except that Adam was alone
We were made in God's image and because of that
it was not good that we were alone.
God isn't alone
He's got the trinity
God knew that if people were going to truly
reflect who He is
then theres no way that they could do it alone
...because God in Himself is not alone
God in Himself is community
So if we are called...to what could arguably be our greatest purpose
theres no way that we can do it alone
Theres no way that this world can see who Jesus is if we're alone
Because Jesus isn't alone
This is why I love the church
Because without it we cannot show the world who Jesus is
and while there are some weird strange, bizarre, mean, overly critical people our there
We need them and they need us
not to fulfill some emotional need
but because we cannot do what God has called us to do
because of this the excuses of
"I can worship Jesus more in my boat than with a church"
or
"I don't need the church to worship/love Jesus"
Don't have a leg to stand on
You do need people and the church
Don't believe the lie
Don't be deceived into the doctrine of isolation
because...in all reality...it seems easier but
...to put it how God put it...
It is not good for man to be alone
proverbs says
the man who isolates himself seeks his own desires and rages against all wise judgement!
Don't let the dirtiness and the brokeness of people
lead you away from the pack
And I'll tell you what...
I give you permission to give up on people and their brokenness
if God gives up on you and yours.
Don't give up so quickly on what God has called us to do
because this will help you complete the greatest purpose
of your life.
It's simple I seriously need you
and you need me
What are some reservations that you have about maybe being in a community
or investing in the people around you?
(Please answer in the comment section)
-Sam
