Hi Yall!! I'm new to this one, but I'm glad to be here. ----Jennifer your question. . . . . worship isn't about us. It is only about God. The reason that we go and do it together is because we are required to do so. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:19-25. We have been washed (baptized into Christ ---we make that decision when we are ready to do so for the remission of our sins) so we've got to come together in love and good deeds so that we can ENCOURAGE one another. Again, worship is not about us!! It's about what we can do for God, how we can praise him, and how we can build others up (by our presence, song, words, actions, and sincerity). It is not about us! It's only about GOD!
If there is a church that's not following the Bible's firm and unwavering guidelines. . . then either correct it ---in love. Or, get the heck outta Dodge. Shaking the dust off of your feet. Luke 9. . .when Jesus sent out his disciples to work with the people.
It really gets under my skin sometimes when people think that this group has more fun or this group does this. .. . or this group sings better. . . . SO what!!! Do we think for 1 minute that this will be the thing that God looks for and asks for?
Who makes the rules? I don't. . . but I know who does. And I will follow them to get to where I need to go. What about the rest of us?
2 comments:
So, when we are looking for a church home, is it okay to look for things like activities, young people, kids, etc., even though that has little to nothing to do with worship?
I guess the thing you need to consider is that YOU actually have options. If you live in a town/area that has multiple congregations, you have a choice! Amy and I had a choice to make here in Greenville.
If you live in a town like Big Spring where there is just one group meeting you have less of a choice. In Big Spring, you don't have the ability to be as picky. So say the congregation is dead. If it is the only game in town, that's either where you are going (and start shaking stuff up) or you are left to travel a good ways away or have the task of starting a new group. If you are in that situation and you get to the point where you think that it is better for you not to attend, then you are wrong. Now, if the group is wrong, then you are clear in not going there. Then again, you could say "how about I stand up for what's right and work with that group." It is a balance.
What you must always check is what do you think is right. What you think is right should be based on what you read in the Bible and what you think leaders in the Bible would have chosen. Then of course, you have to decide whether you are stable and firm enough in your Christianity to stand fast.
I can tell you that we weren't thrilled about worshiping with some groups that just didn't understand what NT Christianity was about. Some groups had huge social issues with broken families, drugs, physical abuse, and bad parenting. There were things that constantly surprised us. We did have choice then and we chose to be there and work against the tide. It was so so hard. It cost us time, money, tears, heartache, stress, & so many other hopeless emotions. Why did we put ourselves in that situation? Because we thought we could help. God would help us. It would be easier for us to get to lead since leaders were lacking. Were there good followers? Not really. Is that group better now than before? We actually don't know. Did we make a difference? I say yes. We showed what was right. We had to be on the top of our game and that was a good example to others there of what the possibilities could be. Are they using that example now? I don't think so. Was it a waste? I believe my God is happy with what we did. He knows the challenge and recognizes that we could have just found a place that was "easy" for us. I see that it was a way for us to grow. Could we have done good also at an easier place? Oh yeah. The only thing is that sometimes when you attend with a group that seems to have things "together". You tend to become a follower and not a leader. You tend to be fed and not lead. Sometimes you need to be fed, that is 10000% okay! But if at all you can lead, do it.
So I return back to Amy's and my choice. We chose based on friendliness, leadership, young couples, worship style, needs, & just gut feeling. So we chose a Spanish congregation? Yep. And I know this has been a huge growing experience for my wife and for myself. Are we sometimes feeding when we need to be fed? Oh yeah. But at times we are being fed in ways no other group could. So we carry on. We had options. We chose what we liked best. That's just fine.
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