Bring It Back

DateLine (5/2/07 – Nanuet, NY)

I believe that many of us have the concept backwards when it comes to church. Our consumer driven society has spilled over into the church life. It’s my opinion based on my years of church involvement that the average participant comes looking to pick something up. Many see worship services as another drive-through joint much like our instant gratification fast food culture. Numerous churches have fallen into the trap of trying to ramp up to meet the expectations of delivering high quality “worship experiences.” The more we travel down this slippery slope the more energy is drained away from the real reason for churches to exist.

I’m going to offer what might be a unique thought given the current reality. The point of worship services is not what you get there; it’s what you bring there. Church is not what takes place for an hour or two on Sunday. Church is what takes place the rest of the week. If the worship service is not fun it’s because we didn’t see God at work outside the church building and we got nothing to bring back with us. You see, church is foremost a celebration of God and what He’s doing.

Worship services do not occur in a cathedral of consumerism, worship is a celebration of service. If church were a football game, then the worship service doesn’t take place in the stadium, it would take place in the press room after the game when the highlights were being recapped and the glory of the competition was being relived. Now here’s a thought to ponder; if it ain’t happening for us at church it’s not because the preacher is not doing his job, or the musicians didn’t quite make it happen, or the Sunday School teacher was uninspiring. If it ain’t happening at church it means you didn’t bring anything with you; you don’t have anything to celebrate.

I want to challenge you this week to look for God where you go. If you see Him up to something run toward it as fast as you can. When you get to where He is, jump in with both feet. And one more thing; would you please bring it back with you to the meeting house. I want to celebrate with you.

The apostle Paul instructed the church in Corinth; “. . . When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” (I Cor. 14:26)

You want to do your part in to strengthen the church? You gotta bring it back!