#payitforward
Some people go to church every week, some go to additional church activities, mass, or bible studies throughout the week. Some people, even though they believe in God, choose to not go to church at all, or go only on special occasions.
Other people are anti-religion and would not be caught dead on any church property. (In this case, they would be wise to instruct their families to provide them a totally secular funeral!)
This post is directed to those who consider themselves believers, but who rarely, if ever, find themselves at church.
Perhaps this person has a busy life and relishes the thought of having a day off to relax. Perhaps this person works on the Sabbath; they must make a living, rent must be paid, after all. Perhaps social anxiety leads them to avoid such a social setting. Maybe church going is simply not important to them, there are a thousand other productive things to do on a Sunday.
They might say, "I don't need to go to church. I feel more spiritual when I go take a walk in the mountains. I feel so much closer to God in the nature He created. Why do you expect me to sit for a few hours in an artificial building among hypocritical people who will judge me anyway?"
That is a good question, from an honest perspective.
Yes, it is good to go into Nature and commune with your Creator. Marvel at His creations, pray for understanding. Even bring your children and help give them a positive perspective.
But this is ultimately selfish.
It serves only your spirituality, and possibly that of your children. It does nothing to benefit the people in your congregation, who could be inspired by your experiences and your smile. Whom have you failed to touch because you were up in the mountains praying, rather than in your congregation singing, or teaching?
Perhaps you have been warmed by a campfire. You sit by the blaze and watch the embers. With tongs, you pull one small ember out and place it on the stones next to the fire. The campfire itself burns for hours, even after the flame dies down. It could burn indefinitely if you keep adding wood.
The lone ember is out in a few minutes.
Why? Less surface area means the internal heat dissipates more quickly. The same thing happens to this individual who takes himself out of his congregation. The fire of his devotion will die quickly. He'll come to say, "Sure, God is a nice idea, but what does it have to do with me?"
A friend of mine, Luke, experienced the happiest time in his life when he went to church regularly and did service projects with the men in his congregation. He stopped going, and issues piled into his lap. (Interesting correlation; I'm not going to presume causality.) It does seem, however, that serving others brings joy and a positive perspective.
Maybe you feel the people in your congregation are hypocrites and would judge you. They are not all living embodiments of Jesus' grace and mercy. As Jesus taught in the synagogue, the Pharisees criticized him and his followers for hanging out with sinners. (Luke 5)
30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
So, you should expect to see imperfect people at church. Maybe your presence there will help them heal. Maybe they will help you heal from the effects of life. Inspire each other.
Maybe there are judgemental people there. I suspect, however, that if they have the love of Christ in their hearts, they will just be happy to see you there. You can pray for the nay sayers and critical people. Just be yourself and inspire. Jesus taught, (Matthew 5)
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
If you still feel uncomfortable about the attitudes of the members of your congregation, talk with your pastor about it. Maybe he/she could put you in charge of a program to foster good will among the congregation members. If that doesn't work, maybe you could find a group you are comfortable with.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to give a sermon in my congregation. The subject was, "How to Retain a Remission of Your Sins." I spoke of expressing love to everyone and just doing your best. Keep on trying, and Jesus will carry you the rest of the way. God doesn't expect perfection, He just wants you to learn to love; if you can love, you can be happy. If you can no more than desire to love, that desire can lead you in the right direction. If your children have turned away from God, keep loving them. Death is not the end!
I had at least 10 people come up to me to thank me. "That is exactly what I needed to hear today!" Even a week later, people thanked me.
I could have refused the invitation from my pastor to speak. I could have been too afraid to open my mouth, or just not wanted to bother. But God used me to inspire the hearts of His children.
Ok, so you drag yourself to church, but what about your children? I know what it's like. I'm a single mom with 3 small kids, and it's a nightmare to get them up and fed and dressed. I love the experience of church, I hate the getting ready. Come Sunday morning, my tired body sees the benefit of rolling leisurely out of bed and eventually getting my kids to the mountain to play with nature.
But I want something more for them.
Many longitudinal studies have been done regarding the benefits for children who attend church. http://www.livescience.com/1465-study-religion-good-kids.html
They find a correlation between a child's church attendance and positive behaviors as the kid grows into adolescence (positive behaviors include higher grades, and avoiding drugs, alcohol, and promiscuity, for instance).
While this study does not speculate on a causal relationship, here is an example of what might be going on:
Last Sunday, my church had a special meeting in which anyone from the congregation could go up to the pulpit and share their faith. People shared experiences of miracles, ways in which God has touched their lives. Why they believe in Jesus and what God's plan means in their lives.
My daughter, Elly, told me, "I want to go up!"
"Ok," I said, "what would you like to talk about?"
She thought for a few seconds, then said, "I want to talk about the Holy Spirit!"
So, my 8 year old daughter walked up to the front of the church by herself, climbed the steps to the pulpit, waited her turn, and spoke to 300 people. She told the congregation, "I don't need to be afraid because the Holy Spirit will always help me to be calm." She spoke for 3 or so minutes.
But during Sunday School, the teacher quoted her. Even a week later, a friend commented to me about her words.
What has this done to boost my daughter's self esteem? Where else would she have had an opportunity with adults to speak to 300 people independently?
I believe I will see great things from her, and this won't be the only time she inspires people from a pulpit.
Why? Because, even though I am a single mom, I drag my butt out of bed and bring my kids to church.
Maybe church just isn't your thing. I invite you, though, to find something more to fill your soul. Something more than video games and football. Teach your children to serve others and to love themselves in an unselfish way. Be positively passionate about something that will better your community. You will be happier, your children will be better adjusted as they grow, and the world will be a more peaceful place.
I have to ask, "What inspires you to go (or not to go) to church?"
