Don’t Come to Church…
by Steve Ridgell on Mar.15, 2010, under Hope
“Don’t come to church!” That is not something you will usually hear a minister say, but sometimes it is true. I recently heard someone talking about the troubles currently in their life and they mentioned that maybe going to church would help. I am not sure it would. They are looking for a “magic bullet” to make life better. That is not the purpose of church. Attending worship services and being involved in a church are outcomes of a decision to follow Jesus.
Jesus is the answer to the struggles of life. He is the one that heals, restores, forgives, and gives meaning to life. He is where hope is found. He is the way to God. He is the truth. He is life. When you turn your life and heart to Jesus, then church makes sense. Church is one of the outcomes of following Jesus. It is a gathering of family members united by faith in the Son of God. It is where the community of believers gathers to praise the God who loves them.
To hope going to church will help you is getting the cart before the horse. Jesus is the first decision you must make. Maybe that is why so many people misunderstand church. Church is not the answer. It cannot save you. It is a fellowship, a community, a gathering, a family… of those who have been saved by Jesus.
So if you are expecting church to be the answer to your problems, don’t come. You will be disappointed. But if you are looking for some good news in your life… let me tell you about Jesus. He is the answer. Then, and only then, will church make sense. So write me at steve@hopeforlife.org. Or look around our website, www.hopeforlife.org.
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I would encourage anyone to “go to church” and pray that they may see the light of Jesus shining in Christians and be inspired by the Spirit of Jesus. I know that our Father in Heaven will draw one to be a follower of Him by His Holy Spirit. Church is a welcome change from the grathering places that the world offers. I agree that we must raise Jesus and his saving power above all, but I am so concerned that my young adult grandchildren are not attending church. Can you recommend a good article or book for them. I continue to pray for them.
To the lay seclarite, church is the beginning of faith. Who are we to discourage them from getting to know the chosen in hopes to become one themselves? There are many paths to Jesus, but his is a narrow one after becoming his. Don’t lock the front doors of the church building in hopes that you have figured out the “righteous recipe”. Beware of claiming to know what lies around the bend for a non-believer and how they will respond to Christ’s invitation.
I understand what you are saying, but I believe a person can find Jesus by coming to church and associating with Christians. The oft repeated saying is “the church is a hospital for the sick” I believe to be true. If I have to wait to be “well” then I may never come.
Jesus is not down here (in the flesh). He places his treasurers where? There are some in the Church who are professionals in many capacities, even advice-giving ones. We’re not all ignoramuses, burdened with sin.
Good comments. I would agree that church is a great way to find Jesus and to learn about him by being with his people. I would hope that we never get “the horse before the cart”. We have all known those who can “do church” but dont’ know Jesus. Martha, I’ll send you some ideas and I would encourage other readers to share ideas with her.
I do not agree with the above statment by the priest, it has allready been told to me and my familly but here is the problem, let’s take an everyday example, we all have BESTFRIENDS, right???
Now we know allot about ou BF, how do we know them so well, because we spend time with them, whenever this BF of yours says COME OVER, WE ARE GOING TO HANG OUT AT MY HOUSE TODAY, we would all go to our BF’s house because we want to spend time with, talk to him, seek advice or even just VENTE about our issues and concernes.
That being said, the CHURCHE is christ’s house and if he is our BF we would like to visit him and hang out at his house.
Christ also said that we have to repent to enter heaven, the only place we could CONFESS and REPENT is the churche.
I hope I made sense in my example.
Forgive me if I’m wrong.
I understand what the writer is trying to say, but I hope and pray no sinners read this. Please go to church if you are down, sick, addicted, forsaken, troubled, hurt, whatever your issue. Jesus awaits us in his house! Tamer you are completely correct! Anyone who comes to my spirit filled church will be welcomed and treated with respect! How are we to introduce the lost to Jesus unless we compel them to come in!! Maybe we see things differently because of different religions…not sure…but I say get to church so you can see what you are missing…Jesus!! And if the church you are visiting isn’t different from the world…go somewhere else!
I believe in God and of course, Jesus. I was raised Catholic, attended Catholic school, etc., but just didn’t get why we as children had to receive Holy Communion,etc. As an adult, I still do not get the pomp and circumstance. Am I any less of a believer since I haven’t found a church I connect with? I’m still trying to figure it out. Any help to this end will be appreciated. Thanks
Seems like some of the commenters missed the point. The church itself isn’t the answer to the world’s problems. Jesus is the answer. Our modern society likes to focus so much on man that a message like that can get lost. The article expresses that well.
When a person comes to Jesus, they do need to be connected to a church body. I’d encourage Tina to let Steve or someone else from this site help her find a church to meet with.