Goldilocks & the Church Shoes

Once there was a little girl who was looking for a church.  The first church she visited was too formal.  The second was too modern.  The third one was just right... at least for awhile until her needs changed.  Then she went looking for something that met her new needs, including a better children's ministry.

Ah, such a classic fairy tale.  It is one that many of us may be familiar with.  The great American tradition of finding a good church.  It is like looking for shoes.  You want something that will be a comfortable fit and wear well.  You don't want it too tight or too loose.  After you have worn them awhile you might need to go get a new pair.    This is the approach a lot of people take with looking for a church.  Only problem is, I believe this approach is fundamentally flawed.

First, the church is something we are, not something we attend.  A single church service should not be the beginning and the end of our church life.  "Going to church" should involve being a part of the body of Christ and establishing accountable relationships with a body and its leadership.  The style of the music and other worship elements on a Sunday morning should be very secondary to more important elements.  Are you being equipped to be a disciple and a disciple-maker?  Is the Gospel being presented & proclaimed?  Are people being held accountable and sharing their lives with each other?  These vital functions of the church go way beyond what music was played during the Sunday morning service.

Second, the church is something you contribute to more than consume.  Church should be approached as marriage, not dating.  You make a commitment and work to make it work rather than try something out to see if it is fun and dump it if it is not.  This should not be just about getting your needs met, but instead finding a place where you will be pushed to grow, contribute and serve.  So many people, especially in our culture today, are not into making a commitment and serving.  They are looking for a social spot and perhaps a fun place for the kids.  Service, well, we're really busy.

Let us remember that Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life.  We are called to have the same attitude.  I personally have seen many times where a person has left our church in search for some ministry rather than staying to work to provide a ministry to the church.  I know other pastors who are in desperate need of workers but can't get them, not because they don't invest in people or preach the Gospel, but simply because their church can not offer the service that people are looking for.  If people would come to provide service instead of receive service, their churches would be growing leaps and bounds.

So, whether you go to Bean's Corner or another church or whether you are shopping.  Are you looking for a place to commit to, to serve in? Or are you looking for a good fit where you can best get your needs met and have a nice comfortable experience?    I encourage you to commit and serve and leave the shopping to Wal*Mart & Target.