072 - Going to church

Wording of this Handout:

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Going to church

Some people say church is boring. I agree - sometimes, some church services are extremely boring. It is like visiting a re-enactment of some 16th century ritual, dull and bleak, and which has hardly any relevance to today's culture or people.

Yet other church meetings are exciting and enjoyable. The songs are up to date, the messages are relevant, and the people are genuine and friendly.

In some ways, people are attracted to the sort of church which reflects their own personality. Excitable, energetic people seem to enjoy loud, energetic services, while the quieter, and older people prefer the more sedate service. And then there is the fact that some churches reflect the income of the participants.

Of course there is nothing wrong with any of these things. It is totally human for people to gather together with like-minded and like-incomed and like-emotional and like-aged people. The main thing, after all, is fellowship and a sense of belonging and value. People like to be valued, so any church that makes its members feel valued will probably grow.

We should also remember that, for 300 years or so, Christians met in small groups in each other's homes. They had no pulpits, pews, books, Popes, Pastors, Ministers, Archbishops or central buildings to maintain. All who came contributed to the fellowship, and the main work was reaching out to the community.

How does this compare with the churches you know of?

The Bible says, "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord.'"
Psalm 122:1