Have you been lately?

Have you been to youth lately? Have you been to Bible study small groups on Wednesday nights? Have you attended Sunday morning class? Have you been to one of our two worship services?

You might be able to answer “Yes,” to all, some, or none of the above listed activities, but does merely going make you a better Christian? Well I guess it really depends on how you define the word better. I would certainly agree that attending these things will improve your life and your week. But too often just attending will not allow you to grow to your fullest potential.

I might instead ask you if you have read your Bible lately? Have you spent time in prayer lately, not only talking to God but listening to Him as well. Have you taken the time to encourage, serve, or meet the needs of someone else? Have you personally found time in your busy schedule just to worship God in everything that you do?

Now this list is much more personal and is as important as the first set of questions. If you are going to make the most of your church going activities, you need to make the same investment in your own personal journey with Christ when you are away from church..

You might ask “Why?” You can not grow into what God is calling you to be with a mere hour or two a week within a Christian building. You need to be in community with other believers throughout your week, learning and doing life together. You need to be reading and expanding not only your mind of God, but your heart as well. God is asking us to serve others as we grow.

Also, when you are growing and deepening your walk with Christ, you are helping your fellow Christians. If you are more in tune with God’s Spirit before you walk through the doors of FUMC, the sharper you will be for God to use you to help, support, and encourage others.

Too often I hear people disappointed in their church, its activities, and its worship. Why is this? Maybe because they are not giving of themselves. Maybe they are concerned only with receiving and not giving.

We live in a very consumerist culture. And the church has become very consumerist as well. We expect God and the church to give us what we need for the week, and we expect it now!
The problem with this thinking is that God never intended this for the church.. When you look at scripture and the structure of the early church, you see a community of people living out their love of God in their community.

We, meaning me as well (guilty), program our lives into compartments. We do church here. We do outreach here. We serve on mission here. We give to the needy here. We learn and study here. Why are these things not just naturally incorporated into our daily lives and a part of the make-up of our families and who we are as individuals?
These are very difficult questions, and I don’t believe I have the answers to all of them. But coming early this next year, we as a church are going to be in a study called “Reconnecting”. I want to strongly encourage everyone to attend and be a part of what God wants to show us through this series. Join a small group, come to church, do your own personal study , and be a part of the Church! What great and wonderful things that God has in store for us. I am excited and hope you are too!