Perhaps it is because I have to preach, but often Sunday mornings at church seems less like a quiet time in the presence of God and more like a mix of rock concert and an evening at a drag race. Here is my theory on that.
We, most of us who have been seeking to be Christian for most of our lives, instinctively know that there are certain things we need to do in order to be and stay in a close, growing, meaningful relationship with God and with the other members of the family of God. Our culture has taught us that church happens on Sunday mornings and thus we attempt to do all it takes to be a growing Christian in the confines of the couple of hours we have available on Sunday morning. To even take a wild shot at doing all of these things, we must rush through the process and fail to reach any meaningful depth in these attempts.
There are five things a healthy Christian does on a regular basis that facilitates he or she being a growing, healthy and maturing follower of God. A healthy church does these same five things.
- Worship – Worship is not spectator sport. Worship is opening our hearts and lives to God. It is laying before God all that we are and all that we have. Worship is all about God and not about us.
- Discipleship – Discipleship is learning and doing what the "master" teaches so that we may become just like the "master." Discipleship is how we learn to "think with the mind of Christ" so that we can be "transformed by the renewing of our minds." We must be careful not to "be just hearers of the word, but also doers."
- Fellowship – Fellowship is much deeper and more meaningful than a two sentence conversation over a cup of coffee and a cookie. Fellowship is the sharing of our lives on the deepest of levels, praying for each other, being accountable to one another, supporting each other during the difficult times of our lives. True fellowship is friendship to the second power.
- Evangelism – Evangelism is sharing the amazing good news of God's love, healing, grace and forgiveness with our circle of friends who do not yet know God. It is living life in a Godly manner; in a full and joyful way that attracts others into the Kingdom of God. And after we have lived it in front of them, we take the time to explain it to them. Evangelism is not something the pastor or the evangelism committee does; it is a way of life for every believer.
- Missions – Missions is reaching out to those in need to give them support, strength and healing. The mission field begins at our doorsteps and each step we take every day of our lives is in the mission field. Missions are not only something we support, it is something we do – daily.
Let's be honest here. There is no way we can get these five things done in a meaningful and healthy way in two hours on a Sunday morning. We will be fortunate to accomplish one of these well. I suggest that we quit "going to church" on Sunday mornings and start just going to worship. And face the fact that if we are going to be growing, healthy Christians, we are going to have to make the time in the remainder of our weeks to give the time necessary to doing the things we need to do to be maturing Christians.
It is my firm belief that church can no longer be a Sunday morning activity. Church (Doing the five healthy things.) must become a lifestyle. That is why I am such an advocate of small groups. It is in small groups that meet weekly for 1½ to 2½hours that we have the opportunity to really be church. In a healthy church, Christians do church weekly in their small groups and on Sunday morning enjoy the presence of God in Worship.
So, I'll see you Sunday for Worship.
Copyright © 2012, William T. McConnell, All Rights Reserved
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