I recently finished another year of post grad school and all the reading that goes with it. This week, I'm on vacation with my husband and I've finally had time to read books of my choice.
One of the books I've read is So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore, by Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman. I don’t know what I expected from this particular book. Maybe encouragement for how to get connected in church, or ways to help people feel loved and cared for. Maybe with some “how to” lists for spiritual growth sprinkled in. Instead, I read the story of a pastor disillusioned with Sunday mornings, feeling burnt-out and spiritually empty.
It hit a little too close to home at times.
I think for a long time, I’ve tried to find closeness to God by simply attending church. Like, if I’m a good Christian, if I attend every week then somehow God will make me feel His presence.
I think for many of us, at one time or another, we've seen church as something you do in order to be a “good Christian.” (But wait: did Christ say that salvation comes through attending a weekly service? Or did he say, “Follow me”?)
Anyone else feel they’ve been stuck in a rut, just going through the motions? It’s kind of scary as a pastor to admit that I’ve been stuck in that rut. I’m supposed to have it all together, right?
I guess I’m just trying to be real and say the quiet part out loud... sometimes it’s hard to get myself into the Barn on Sundays.
But what if...
What if, instead of seeing church as an obligation, I treated it as a weekly celebration of life in Christ? What if, instead of mumbling the words to the songs, I stayed seated in my chair and let the words guide my prayers? Or even sang as if I was singing to God Himself? What if, instead of reading the scripture on the screen, I actually opened my physical Bible to see with my own eyes what the word of God says? What if, instead of expecting “the church” to make me feel close to God, I actually pursued God and nothing else? Then attending church - whether it's in a building or a gathering of people around a kitchen table - would truly be a joy instead of a chore or expectation.
I love Hope and I love the people. But when I’m just going through the motions of attending church I leave just as empty as when I entered. But, when I shift my thinking to remember that I’m gathering WITH the church – with the people of Jesus – I leave with a full heart.
So how about you? This week will you be attending church, or gathering with the church?
Just something to think about,
Pastor Naomi
One of the books I've read is So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore, by Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman. I don’t know what I expected from this particular book. Maybe encouragement for how to get connected in church, or ways to help people feel loved and cared for. Maybe with some “how to” lists for spiritual growth sprinkled in. Instead, I read the story of a pastor disillusioned with Sunday mornings, feeling burnt-out and spiritually empty.
It hit a little too close to home at times.
I think for a long time, I’ve tried to find closeness to God by simply attending church. Like, if I’m a good Christian, if I attend every week then somehow God will make me feel His presence.
I think for many of us, at one time or another, we've seen church as something you do in order to be a “good Christian.” (But wait: did Christ say that salvation comes through attending a weekly service? Or did he say, “Follow me”?)
Anyone else feel they’ve been stuck in a rut, just going through the motions? It’s kind of scary as a pastor to admit that I’ve been stuck in that rut. I’m supposed to have it all together, right?
I guess I’m just trying to be real and say the quiet part out loud... sometimes it’s hard to get myself into the Barn on Sundays.
But what if...
What if, instead of seeing church as an obligation, I treated it as a weekly celebration of life in Christ? What if, instead of mumbling the words to the songs, I stayed seated in my chair and let the words guide my prayers? Or even sang as if I was singing to God Himself? What if, instead of reading the scripture on the screen, I actually opened my physical Bible to see with my own eyes what the word of God says? What if, instead of expecting “the church” to make me feel close to God, I actually pursued God and nothing else? Then attending church - whether it's in a building or a gathering of people around a kitchen table - would truly be a joy instead of a chore or expectation.
I love Hope and I love the people. But when I’m just going through the motions of attending church I leave just as empty as when I entered. But, when I shift my thinking to remember that I’m gathering WITH the church – with the people of Jesus – I leave with a full heart.
So how about you? This week will you be attending church, or gathering with the church?
Just something to think about,
Pastor Naomi