I was struck by the opening lines of this news item from Baptist Press: “Kingdom passion drives 71-member church“.
Prior to 2004, Macedonia Baptist Church’s heart beat almost solely for its members.
“We were a bunch of older folks who pretty much attended church for ourselves,” said Gerald Williams, a member of the Fayetteville, N.C., congregation. “We were self-centered in a lot of our church work.” [emphasis added]
The post goes on to detail how this small church transformed its emphasis into kingdom work. Giving, growing, serving, the church is gloriously different today. But I wonder, how many of us are just attending church for ourselves?
I’ve seen plenty of churches that seem more like a club. People attend because its what they are supposed to do. They do their thing, do the rituals, pray, sing, preach, etc. But its all about the social connection and their need to be obedient and go to church. At church, the conversation revolves around the weather and what they did last weekend; then, they leave, hardly thinking twice about the things of the Lord or serving the lost, caring for others, missions, anything until the next time they darken the door.
Often these churches prize sound doctrine. They are all about being Biblical. Yet each member lives for his family, his job, and his financial well being.
Come to think of it, I too often go to church for myself. While I might think of the things of the Lord at times during the week, I’m often simply storing up doctrinal facts and thinking about this and that doctrinal controversy. And I’m thinking about my family and my job, too.
Why is it so easy to live in the world, as if this world is all that matters? Why is it so hard to pull away from our own often very large and weighty concerns and look to the fields which are white and ready to harvest?
Lord, give us eyes to see the need, give us a heart to live for Your Glory and to spread Your fame. Lord help us to serve to love and to live for others. May we go to church for others, to serve them, love them, and be prepared to live for them.
*bows*
I agree most heartedly Mr. Hayton. Were we all to abandon going to church for ourselves, or even better, *living* for ourselves, and started living for one another, I believe “Christianity” and “Church” would have completely new definitions in the minds and hearts of not only those that take part, but also in those that don’t.
One of the things that constantly gets me is how the early church had “favor with all the people” [Acts 2:46-47]. In these times, I think it would be a stretch to think of the Church as having favor with *all* the people. Makes me wonder if things like what you’re talking about are part of the reason that the Church has fallen from it’s former place in society.
Shado,
*Face slightly flushed*
Thanks. Glad you’re not standing and clapping, though.
You make a good point, but (…terrible word isn’t it…) the church is always going to be looked down on, even persecuted by the world. Jesus promised as much. Living the Christ-life is not about minding your PR. It’s a sacrificial service of others for their good and your joy.
When we don’t serve, we might lose respect and admiration. But even worse, we aren’t being who we are. We’re not being Christ’s body — His loving hands and feet.
Christ came to serve, but he was hated. His church continues in his footsteps.
May Christ help us all to live for Him and follow His creed, living His example. The chips can fall where they will.
Blessings from the cross of Christ,
Bob