There are 2 ways to walk into a church building on Sunday morning.
These 2 ways are shaped by 2 questions that you’re asking (whether you know it or not…).
1.What will I “get out of it?”
This is a questions asked by a consumer of a business. When I walk into Taco Bell and don’t get what I want, they’ve screw up. They owe me. I might not come back there. I’ll ask for a refund. I’ll talk with a manager. In our culture, it makes sense. It’s obvious. Even writing it all down feels redundant.
I’ve seen people complain about the worship band – even though the entire band is made up of volunteers who are spending LOTS and LOTS of time outside of Sunday morning to make it all work. I seen people complain about “not feeling connected” though they can’t take 1 day out of their week to join a small group. You shouldn’t being the same set of assumptions to Sunday morning church that you bring into Taco Bell.
2. What can I give?
I know people from each church I’ve ever been a part of who enjoy neither the preaching style nor the music style of church they attend. However, those people are committed to the church. They show up every Sunday. They don’t expect a sermon that moves them and sometimes they’re surprised. They don’t anticipate music that gives them goosebumps. They show up and then notice people. They introduce themselves to new people. They tell strike up conversations. They pick up chairs. They help stuff bulletins.
These are the people who make church a blast each and every week. Those that show up and give make the church a family. Take those people out, and the church is merely a building that houses a passive, whiny audience each week.
I don’t care if you go to a church of 3 or 30,000, these 2 questions define you as a church-goer.
ps. i’m horrible at this, i have to re-preach this sermon to myself every Sunday as I’m driving to church.
