“Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Psalm 50:5
Our Church has taken on the mission of standing on the corner of a major intersection holding Gospel signs. We don’t hand out tracks because we don’t get to talk to drivers. But once in a while someone, walking or biking, comes along. Last week, one came by, said he’d come by… but didn’t!
I well remember conversations like this one because they provide hope. Hope that others will see and respond to God’s call to life in His Son. Before he spoke, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a mini Bible. Handing it to me he said he does what we do by passing these things out. We were on equal ground! That is… until I started asking questions. “Where do you live? How long have you lived here? Where do you go to church?” That last question met with a different facial expression as he responded, “well, I haven’t found one down here yet!
His last statement gave me kind of a shock because, as it turns out, he has lived here for 3 years! In fact… right around the corner from our church! And he has never attended! I told him where we were and gave him the 2 most distinct features of our Church Fellowship, that we simply LOVE Jesus Christ (and each other), and that we know and believe the Bible! Christmas Eve service was that night and he said he’d LOVE to come. But he didn’t!
I remember what it is like to be a Church Snob! Long before I became a pastor Katie and I tried MANY churches that didn’t conform to our way of liking, routine or teaching. My dad used to say, “always go to a church at least 3 times before you make up your mind. They could just have a bad day.” So we would! And that is what confuses me.
I can’t tell you the number of times the question comes up after discovering someone claims to be a Christian, “So where do you go to church?” More often than not the answer is, “no where!” And THAT is where they stay! No Where! And that’s confusing!
In reading and researching, I discovered over 100 Bible verses where God and His Son calls Believers to come together and meet. The benefits and duties include praying, encouraging, supporting, teaching, honoring, correcting, training and glorifying God in the process. Like belonging to ANY club… ‘Membership has it’s benefits and privileges!’
In 2022 God is calling you to join Him in His Church. AND to encourage and invite others to join you in joining Him. After all, God’s Clubhouse will last into eternity! If you don’t like hanging out with His people here, there’s a HUGE chance you won’t be hanging out there!
So may I ask? Where do YOU go to church?
