My mom is visiting from Oklahoma, and she has found a nice little country church near her house. She said that it feels like home and the people are so friendly. I had asked her if she was going to try any other churches and she said no. I asked her why, and she said because it’s where God wants her to be and it’s home. One of her friends keeps asking her to come to her church because they have better singers over there. Now I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound like a good reason to leave a church. However, we live in a shopping, advertising, show-me-what-you-got society these days and it has invaded the Church.
The average Churchgoer stays only 1 year at any given church. As a pastor, it hurts to see so many church hoppers struggling to find a church home. Did you know there is a difference between a Church hopper and a Church shopper?
It’s ok to be looking for a Church home. If you don’t have a Church home, I hope that you will be looking for one and do your research, ask questions, talk with the Pastor, get their statement of faith, see what they believe, and does it fall in line with your Bible. Heb 10:25 says Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
It’s important to understand that going to church isn’t just about you, being entertained, who has the better singers or the most bells and whistles. It is about Jesus Christ and worshiping him. We go to glorify God and encourage one another in the faith, but the most important reason we go is to obey God.
Yes, it is a command to go to church. Throughout the New Testament, we see Paul, John, Peter, establishing local Bible believing churches to encourage one another, to pray for one another, and to be there for one another. It’s a family and it was meant to be a family. Its ok to be looking for a good Bible-preaching church. However, make sure that you are not shopping by your preferences, your size, your needs, but what God wants for you.
The Bible says in Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Let God lead you and you will be a lot happier and content. This way, you know that when problems come in your church, and they will, when the leadership does something you don’t like or when you get offended, you will stick it out because you know that is where God wants you to be. Instead of just walking out without a word, you will talk to the leadership and try to work it out.
Please don’t be a church hopper but make sure you are where God wants you to be. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Ps 37:23
— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Matthew Spoonhour is pastor of First Baptist Church, Monroe.
