I Am a Church Member by Thom S. Rainer

Are you a church member? How involved are you? What define your membership. I have served churches for many years now. It is interesting that church membership often triples the attendance (17). It seems like there is more lack of interest in church attendance than ever before. Church statistics  reveal that churches are declining. Members in their attempt to coerse others to get back on track have joined the "blame game," blaming the decline on culture, politics, hypocritical members or uncaring pastors (5). Thom S. Rainer, pastor, researcher, proposes that church members are more concerned about paying the minimal dues in order to receive the privileges and perks. They are more focused on being served, feed, and cared for instead of focusing on the biblical understanding of what it means to be a part of the body of Christ" (5). Rainer contends that if members will cease to complain about the state of the church and the adverse situations and circumstances within the church setting the church will become healthier. In turn, they will have a positive impact on the community in which they reside (7).

Rainer wrote, I Am a Church Member: Discovering an Attitude That Makes a Difference, to challenge church members to "discover or rediscover the privilege and joy of church membership" (6). He does this by defining the biblical principles of church membership and then leads the reader to pledge to being a committed member.

1) Each member is a functioning member (12).  Every member has a role or function that is necessary for the good of the whole (13). Every member should love each other. Love is defined by the principles of 1 Corinthians; patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not conceited, not acting improperly, is not selfish, not provoked and does not keep record of wrong (14). Members are not content to paying dues alone. They are focused on being a functioning member which includes giving of tithes and offering, serving from our spiritual gifts and abilities (16).

2) Each member is a unifying member (21). Keeping love at the forefront, members are to; seek unity among the brethren even at the sacrifice of personal preferences (24), avoid and rebuke gossip (26), and grant forgiveness and pray for others (27).

3) Each member places others preferences before their own (33). We should have a servant heart (35) looking out for the preferences and need of others rather than themselves. We are to do what it takes to keep unity in the church (39).

4) Each member prays for the pastor and other church leaders for wisdom, insight, and words to preach (46).  Pray for their families and their protection from the devil's trap (49) and for their health and safety (50).

5) Each member should lead their family to be healthy church members by (55) praying for the church, being faithful to the church (59), worshipping together as a family (60), and loving each other unconditionally (62).

6) Each member treasures church membership as a gift (67). In appreciation for what Jesus has done for us it is a natural response to want to serve others (73).

I have been a "functioning" church member for some 50 years, however, Raines reinforced a point that I have heard all my life, "Satan does not have to use the outside to destroy the church, he will destroy it from within." Unless we take our role seriously to make a positive difference church members will actually destroy the church from within. I truly believe that gossip and negativity is what kills the church's influence. I have been too critical of the church, justifying my behavior, as a messenger of truth. The Holy Spirit convicted me of my critical attitude and idle talk. I have committed myself to functioning as Christ called us to serve.

This small book is a quick read, yet packed with the fundamental truths that define a church member. Too many times we assume that all churches have the same expectations of their members. They do not. For this reason, I Am a Church Member would be a great gift to give to new church members to help them understand their attitude and role that is expected of them. It is concise enough to be used as a devotional for Wednesday or Sunday evening services. Order your copy of I Am a Church Member today. Read it and pass it on to someone else, and then ask them to do the same. One by one we can make a difference. Let me know how this book touched you? Were you convicted of changes you need to make?

Why Men Hate Going to Church by David Murrow

Much of my reading has been spent on church growth, not just numerical but spiritual. Being a woman, I have often wondered why men, that claim to be Christian, would not pray aloud, take leadership roles, teach mixed classes in the church, or even be remotely interested in anything going on with the church. And... because I am a woman, I could not see through my eyes to reason or begin to understand. As in so many areas of our lives we must look through a different set of lens if we want the picture to clear up. David Murrow's, Why Men Hate Going to Church, became the lens to clear my vision, reality, of just how our churches operate. Never before has the problem in the church been addressed so clearly. We can walk around with our head in the sand but until we address the problem…the problem will never go away it will just worsen.

For years self-help books have addressed marital and relationship problems in terms of distinct gender differences and have sought to help men and women communicate and relate better by acknowledging their differences within their marriage. I have not read any book that has gone where Murrow has trod in such a way as to define the reason that men and boys are just not interested in church. He gives advice how to counteract these differences in communication style in regards to our view of Christ himself as Lion of Judah vs. Lamb of God, in worship and music styles, to the decoration of the church. He talks about how women and men react differently in their relationships with people.

While I must admit that he punched women pretty hard for the role that they have taken, his goal was to remind the church and its leaders that we must not just accept each genders way of expressing their worship, love and devotion to God but to include study, discipleship, and ministry that will fulfill each other’s emotional and spiritual needs so that both gender and all ages can learn worship God.

This book has challenged me to think more about my leadership role in the church in setting an environment so that all may be led to worship. This book is a must for believers (church staff and leaders, wives, and mothers) who want to see men and boys develop a deeper and more satisfying walk with God. It is a must for those interested in developing the church's delivery system to draw all to a commitment to the ministry that God called all of us to participate in. We cannot leave church growth up to “our own” preferences,we must be intentional about reaching all people. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Publishing, through the Book Sneeze book review program. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Cardboard Box Love

Recently some of you have been enquiring about how I have been spending my time since retirement. This video, produced by Martha O'Bryan Center, is seeking to offer secular assistance to this community. It speaks more than a thousand words. Please do not turn off the music for later it stops, and individuals tell their story. Afterwards, I will tell my story and how we are seeking to give spiritual guidance to the community.

Many of you know Matthew, our son. After graduating, from Vanderbilt University, with his Master’s of Divinity, Matthew found himself sleeping on couches in various friends’ houses and working bi-vocational church staff positions trying to make a living. One house in particular on Shelby Avenue proved to be an eye opening experience that would shape the way he did ministry and thought about God’s Kingdom. Behind his backyard, on Shelby Avenue, is one of the poorest sections of Nashville’s housing, with approximately 12,000 people per square mile. It houses the largest housing unit in the metro Nashville area, Cayce Place, featured in the Martha O’Bryan on Video Clip. God has opened our eyes and touched our hearts and we cannot turn our back on the ministry needs here. Seven months ago, Matthew and Alyson started casting their vision among a small group of individuals, that began to call themselves, East Nashville Community Church, (ENCC). It is at Kirkpatrick Recreation Center that we will plant ENCC to have an intentional time for the community to worship together.

During the past weeks since April, I have had the privilege to work with ENCC to minister in this neighbor"hood." It has been a blessing to work with those who have partnered with us: Casting Crowns, Powerplant 2010, Kirkpatrick Metro Center, Keith Cook: On The Go Ministry, and other individuals to begin connecting with the community/families.  We have been able to connect with the community by cleaning classrooms at Martha O’Bryan Center (a local non-profit for at-risk persons), serving and delivering “Meals on Wheels,” by skating and interacting with groups playing basketball at the Kirkpatrick Center, or just sitting at a picnic table passing our icy-pops. We have not only connected but have been able to share the gospel through picnic table ministry, parking lot ministry, as well as just finding a spot to tell a short Bible Story to children, handing out information about East Nashville Community Church, and/or just telling everyone I meet about the ministry going on here.

One time specifically while taking clothes to the Martha O’Bryan center to hand out…I went about my business, chatting to some individuals as we unloaded clothing from the back of our car. I saw the older man sitting against the wall, appearing not to pay us any attention. As we carried in the last box, he said something that still rings through the crevices of my mind, and touches the deepest part of my heart, “Lady if you want to make a difference in our neighborhood, you gotta” walk” our streets.”  

I overheard one of the community children ask the student minister, “Will you come and have church on Sunday?” The student minister answered, “No, we have to go home.” They (the children) didn’t say it, but you could read their eyes, “You bring us cardboard boxes filled with token’s of love, but then you leave us. We know all about the kind of love that comes and goes. We want you to stay around so we can feel your arms. We want to experience your love.”  

Oh, what good intentions we have when we “drop off” our love in cardboard boxes, hop into our vehicles, and drive away. It is so important to connect with individuals and certainly these are ways to connect. However, connecting is only the beginning of making a difference in someone’s life. An Ethiopian man was reading the book of Isaiah, (or what we would interpret as, the Bible) in Acts 8:31. Phillip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” In other words, can you understand this in a way you can apply it? The Ethiopian answered Phillip’s question saying, “ ‘Well, how can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” In essence, this Ethiopian man was hungry for discipleship.

 We have seen over 100 come to know Jesus as their Savior. The community wants to know more about Jesus. They want hope. They want to continue to experience love. Matthew has shared with the community that we are coming to worship with them on August 1^st. A mother, with two young daughters, shared that if they went to church they had to ride a bus and her small oxygen tank would not last long the trip. Others shared that they had to catch a ride for there was not a church in walking distance. With enthusiasm and excitement they would say, “August 1st, Now…You will be here, right here, August 1st?” Two men were playing basketball at the courts. One man said, “You see these children, my nieces and nephews; if you bring a church here, I will see to it that they are there.”

We, ENCC, believe that people matter to God. Whether we all agree on specific doctrines, we can agree on that until we unite together to complete the gospel then we waste a lot of time and resources competing with each other. This community has invited us to come and sit awhile, to love them, and we are responding. This is our attempt to "sit" with them, to share with them a genuine love that gives hope, yet makes a difference in all of our lives.

 The Costner’s, family, and a few friends have been funding this church plant since it’s beginning. Our heart hurts more and more for the restoration and redemption of this great community, but the needs are greater than what we can accomplish on our own. Please pray that God will speak to you and your family as to how you can support/partner with us. We need 24 individuals that will join us in giving $100.00 per month for a minimum of one year. If not a one time check would be appreciated. Thank you for reading our story, and I pray that God will bless you beyond your giving.

I have a video presentation that I would love to share with you, your group, or church. Please do not underestimate the working of the Holy Spirit in lives. Share this with individuals at your church, put it in your newsletter, YOU can talk to your pastor, sometimes he is just waiting for a layperson as yourself to cast vision for the church. Share it with your friends who might not know us. 

For more information: Subject line  Want to partner with ENCC 

Matthew Costner  at  matthewcostner@gmail.com or 

Patsy Costner  at pscostner@gmail.com 

Romans 1:16-17 HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR CHURCH?

How did you choose your church? What kind of church do you attend? Does your pastor preach the gospel or is he afraid someone might be offended? Does he move around and pick and choose people pleasing messages or does he bring the Word of God to the people? Are people walking the aisles and making life-changing decisions to live for Jesus?

Scripture:

Romans 1: 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:  first for the Jew, then for the Gentile 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Lesson:

Joey and I are seeking a church family. We have been visiting several churches now? We have heard many reasons for attending a church but as I read Romans 1:16-17 Paul spoke to me. I believe he says,

A Righteous Church is Bold in Preaching of the Word: Is the Word being preached from the pulpit? While there are many great stories and lessons that can be taught from hearing God’s word, there is nothing as powerful as the gospel of Jesus Christ. Too many pastors are not preaching the word in fear of embarrassing someone or being politically incorrect. The Bible teaches against choosing people pleasing messages rather than preaching the Word, and living by man’s standards rather than Gods.

A Righteous Church believes the Gospel is Power unto Salvation: Churches all over the nation are grabbing anything and everything coming and going, from music, dress, programs, projects, various preaching styles, etc. trying to entice individuals to join their fellowship. Churches are growing, but are individuals being saved? There is only one thing that we should be focusing on as we live church, and that is to share the gospel. The gospel of Jesus is the only power. Paul says the gospel IS the POWER of salvation. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that accomplished salvation. That means that the gospel is able to deliver men from captivity of sin. It can set us free spiritually.

A Righteous Church Welcomes All: For the gospel is the power unto salvation for “everyone” who believes. Nowhere in the Bible do we find where believers are told to come together to organize churches based on culture, race, gender, social status, likes and/or dislikes. Faith is the one thing that unites believers regardless of their other differences.

A Righteous Church Shares Faith from First to Last: There should be a fellowship among the body in that the young will come to believe as a result of the first, Older, Christian’s testimony. Rather than the attitude of the “old” versus the “young” attitude, there should be a unity among the fellowship where the old is mentoring and encouraging the young, and the young respects and learns from the old.

A Righteous Church Lives by Faith: Believing in the sense of knowing knowledge is true is not enough. Followers of Jesus are called to believe the Word in that it influences the way they live their lives. The gospel (what they believe) is what empowers us to live transformed lives. They live the Word, not by seeing, but by faith. A church/believer who walks by faith will be obedient to God and His Word even when they do not know where the path will lead, even if it seems strange to the world, even if it does not make sense to do it, and even if is seems financially unsound. Faith means putting all trust in what God is able to do and not man's ability. It was once said “a small step for man, but a giant step for mankind.”  As kingdom people our faith will lead us to take what is a giant step for man, all because to our Almighty God, it is but a small step. When we think the step is too large for us we need to remember it is a small step for God for he is the creator of the universe and all that is in it.

Application:

1.        How did you choose where to attend church? (you were born there, relatives go there, denominational views, politically correct, socially correct, music, biblically sound, you don’t know)

2.        Is the Gospel of Jesus preached unashamedly at your church or does the pastor shy away from preaching anything that might be politically incorrect? Does he preach the gospel that leads you to repentance? Are individuals moved to salvation? (Repentance, confession, transformation, and sanctification)

3.        Does your church welcome all? Are you sure, or as you look around, do you realize it is just another social club? How diverse is your group? How accepting are you of those who do not look, smell, talk, live, sing, dress, or eat like you? Would you sit on the same pew or take them to lunch with you?

4.        How does the church live out its faith, both individually and cooperatively? Do members seek to live by biblical standards or their own? Are you challenged by their faith to be a stronger believer? Have you grown in your faith as a result of their witness and testimony?

5.        Is church attendance enough or do you come to church with a sense of anticipation, anticipation that someone will be saved? Are you concerned when no one responds to the message?

6.        Does the church as a whole step out in faith so that God is ABLE to show what he can do rather than what you as church are able to do?

7.        How much have you grown spiritually since you have been a part of _____ church?  Are you helping to mentor other to a higher level of spirituality?

8.        Are you satisfied that your church is a righteous church? If not are you bold enough to help it transform into one? Do you need to seek new fellowship so that you can grow into the person God wants you to be?

Prayer:

Dear Father, thank you for churches who are righteous in your eyes.  Help me to be a believer who is unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the place that I am willing to speak boldly for you, willing to welcome all who want to seek you in their lives, and willing to walk in faith to the place that my faith may lead others to a faith in you. Give me strength and discernment as I seek to fellowship with righteous people so that I will be strengthened and if I need to change churches then lead me to do so. In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Romans 1:14 ARE WE OBLIGATED TO THE GOSPEL?

I am bashful. I am an inrovert. I do not like to talk. Are we excused from sharing the gospel? How obligated are we to sharing the gospel?

Scripture:

Romans 1:14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Lesson:

Paul saying that we as recipients of the gospel are obligated to share the message of Christ.  When we receive the gospel we actually incur a debt. We are not ours anymore…we become Christ. He initially paid our debt. If someone pays our debt do we just say thank you and then act as thou we have no relationship to that person? No, generally we work on paying back what we owe. While we cannot die for our own sins, we are indebted to Christ who paid for our sins.

It is not a matter of have to but we should want to give back to the one who paid the highest price for our atonement. Since Christ died for our sins, we are obligated to Christ. He explicitly tell us what he want us to do. Paul say, what do you want me to do? When we ask the question, he tell us what to do. Matthew 28 sums up what God wants us to do. We are to share Jesus with all we come in contact with as we go our way through the world.

When we receive the gospel it imposes upon us a debt. We repay our debt by passing the gospel to someone else.

Application:

1.   How obligated do you feel toward sharing the gospel?

2.   Do we all have to share the gospel the same way? How is your unique way of sharing the gospel?

3.   Are there boundaries (social, racial, cultural, economical, educational, political) that you must break so that you can reach the lost?

4.   Do we have the love we need to call all brothers in Christ?

5.   How do we generally define our church families?

6.   How are we inclusive or exclusive when we come to culture, race, social, or economic differences?

7.   What problems does the church face today as the church tries to live out the truth of this text?

Prayer:

Dear Father, create in me a desire to reach the lost. Help me to see the unique way that you have planned for me in witnessing for you and in sharing my testimony. The boundaries that are within me that prevent me from speaking boldly for you that others may come to know you. Help me to lead my church to accepting and loving all that come to know you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Romans 1:8-12 HOW IS YOUR CHURCH GROWING?

Is your church growing? I have spent the last 10 years observing and analyzing church growth. I find it quite interesting that rather than growing, birthing new Christians, churches have become satisfied with just more or less swapping members.

Scripture:

Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world
9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12   that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

Lesson:

Many books have been written concerning church growth.  Writers give many solutions to church growth but Paul give two solutions that are very crucial to church growth: prayer and fellowship that encourages each other’s faith.

First Paul mentions his praying for the church.  So many times we exhaust every avenue to solve problems and when all else fails we decide to pray.  Scripture tells us to seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added.  Many churches have given up their mid-week prayer services and replaced it with many other “good” things but nothing can take the place of prayer. I once heard the saying, “A family that prays together, stays together.” I believe with Paul, a church that prays together grows in faith together.

Secondly, Paul talks about togetherness, fellowship. As the spiritual leader, he says he will bring them spiritually what they need to help them understand the good news of Jesus. In return they were to be an encourager to him. Many take fellowship to mean church “pot-luck” dinners. While this could be a good avenue for some good fellowship, it is only that. The church should be encouraged by each other’s faith. A Church whose behavior is influenced by grudges, hurt feelings, different opinions, and unforgiveness, cannot encourage anyone.

When a church puts prayer and true fellowship up front then individuals will begin to testify to the changes that will take place within the body of believers. As a result, others will come from far and wide to see and be a part of such fellowship.

Application:

1)     What place does prayer have in your life/church? Is it a vital part or just a side-kick?

2)     How should the role of spiritual leader/learner compliment and support each other?

3)     Where do you fit in? Are you an encourager or critic?

4)     Do you take care of your spiritual leaders needs as carefully as you do the needs of other members?

5)     What would church look like if we focus more on prayer and fellowship (encouraging each other’s faith) than activities and programs?

6)     Consider ways to grow as a prayer warrior and as an encourager.

Prayer:

Dear Father, create in me a heart that desires you. Help me to so focus on you that my prayers do not cease. Teach me to pray for fellow believers, for the church, and its growth. Help me to be an encourager to all. And, father, place in my life individuals to encourage me, to keep me accountable in my Christian journey. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

ARE YOU LOOKING OUT FOR THE CHURCH?

Bill O’Riley says, “I’m looking out for you.” Have you heard someone say, “I am just looking out for the best interest of the church? Just what does that mean?

SCRIPTURE:

Read Acts 7: 54-59 “When they (Sanhedrin) heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth….But he (Stephen)being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up into heaven, and saw the glory of God…and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at the young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.” 

Acts 8:1-4 “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church, which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”

Philippians 3:6 He spoke of himself, “Concerning zeal, persecuting the church…”

Acts9: 1-2 And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest…that if he found any…whether men or women…he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

LESSON:

I usually, jump back a few feet when someone says, “I am looking out for the best interest of the church,” because, the first thing that comes to my mind is Paul. Was it not ironic that Paul, one of the most religious men of the day, was the very one that was set on destroying the “true” church. Not only was he against Christianity, he sought will all diligence to kill all Christians, and anything to do with “kingdom growth.”  Does looking out for church mean, going to church every Sunday, creating programs and seeing they thrive, learning scripture so we can condemn our brothers and sisters, wear our crosses and other religious symbols and adorning our cars with fish and religious decals to identify our religious beliefs, etc, etc, … Upon occasion the religious take it upon themselves to “keep the church pure,” by closing the doors to those who do not look or worship as they do. Some take it upon themselves to thrash and bash the minister of God who seeks to follow Him, to preach the Truth, who are bold enough to stand up in the face of opposition. All these things are done in the name of religion. Religion is about “looking like” but Christianity is seeking to be obedient to God regardless of religious traditions.

APPLICATION:

1.     Do you find it strange that a believer in God could set out to destroy all that Jesus died for?

2.     What similarities do you see about Paul’s religion and that of the religious people of today?

3.     What are some things that are not Christ like but are done in the name of religion?

4.     Give some examples where we hold traditions as having equal authority as Scripture?

5.     How do we allow our relationship with God to be reduced to a legalistic list of rules and rituals?

PRAYER:

Dear Father, Forgive me of the times that I have been indifferent to individuals or mistreated them in the name of being religious. Create in me a zeal to be about “kingdom” growth, instead of conforming to religious traditions. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Romans 1:1 BEING RELIGIOUS ≠ BEING CHRISTIAN?

Can you believe in God, know all the scriptures, and attend church every Sunday and still not be a Christian? The best example of this is Paul’s life. 

Scripture:

Romans 1:1  “Paul…. (We know that Paul was not always Paul, he was known as Saul of Tarsus.)

Philippians 3:5-6 “…circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.”

Lesson:

As we begin the study of Romans, we must begin with Paul. Paul was Jewish and all Jews were circumcised, an outward symbol of the covenant between the Jewish people and God signifying he was a native Israelite, not a proselyte having been converted to Jewish belief. Born into the tribe of Benjamin, one of the 12 tribes of Israel. A tribe descended from Rachel, the remained faithful when all the other tribes seceded. The soil on which the Jerusalem Temple stood belonged to this tribe. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, meaning he “purebred,” both his parents were an Israelite, therefore he was not a Gentile, (non believer). He was a Pharisee, the strictest sect of religion.  He studied in the Greek schools, and the synagogue schools, learning Hebrew as well as Aramaic. He studied under the greatest Jewish scholar, Gamaliel. He assisted the High Priest and other officials in carrying out the Temple worship. Later he became a rabbi and then became a member of the Office of the High Priest who carried out the worship in the Jerusalem temple and participated in the Sanhedrin. Nothing would stop his zeal when it came to upholding the political structure of the day. He thought Jesus was threatening harmony between the Jews and Roman government. Faultless when it came to his legalistic righteousness. Practiced the traditions of the church and because Jesus did not meet the expectations of the Religious sect, Pharisees or Sadducees, he, Saul, sought to rid the world of Christians. Wow....Can any of your credits match Pauls? Mine cannot?  However, by listing his own credentials, Paul made a point that none of these things have anything to do with our salvation and unless we have a true relationship with Christ it is meaningless. Keep in mind, these things were said of Paul, before he a became a Christian. In other words, being religious is not equivalent to being Christian.

Application:

1.     Can you believe in God, know all the scriptures, and attend church every Sunday and still miss the mark? How do you know?
2.     Can it be possible that we are so bent on practicing traditions and keeping the laws that we fail to see Jesus?
3.     If Satan can keep us from doing what God wants us to do, by getting us to do many “good church things” then he can accomplish his goals. What good things do we do in the name of religion that might be hindering us from what God really want us to do?
4.     Are you more religious basing on what you are doing, or Christian, thus focusing on Christ and what he has done for you?

Prayer:

Father, help us to be more focused on you and our relationship than about doing all those things that seem to be good in themselves. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Have You Been Churched? by Matthew Paul Turner

Are you a "Christian?" Have you ever been "churched?" Hearing this word immediately brings to my mind stories of the process of dismissing an individual from the congregation if they are living contrary to the expectations of the church. It was told that one man was walking down the road. Realizing a dance was being held, he peered in the window. A church member saw him and reported him to the church. They dismissed him from their church because they felt dancing was a sin. This was my interpretation of churched so emphatically and without any hesitation I would have told Matthew Paul Turner, the author of, Churched, "NO! I have never been churched? Have you?

However, he had a different idea as he wrote, Churched. As I began to listen to him talk about his book, I realized that in reality, I had been, "churched." You see, I have actually attended church since I was a little girl, in fact from the time that I was conceived, so in other words all my life. During this time I was grounded in the church's "do and don'ts of life as a Baptist. I tried for years to earn my good standing with God by doing all the right things and by not doing the wrong things. What about all those things. In other words by Matthew definition I was beginning to think maybe I had been "churched."

Think back through your church experiences. Are there ideas, opinions, or actions that you have accepted throughout the years that have done in the name of "Christianity" that has nothing to do with how Christ would want us to live, or with being obedient to him? Are there ideas that you have accepted as the Truth but even though you used "Strongs" concordance you could not located the scriptural basis for the beliefs in the scriptures? I had to say Yes to both. The sad thing is that it is some of these beliefs cause us to behave in ways that cause the unchurched to fear us, to avoid us, to misunderstand us, thus keeping us from being able to form relationship that might lead them to a knowledge of Jesus.

Matthew is a follower of Christ and believes that church membership and fellowship is a part of a believers lifestyle. I encourage you to get to know Matthew Paul Turner. While he is very serious about how we live out, church, he is able to share his stories in a most remarkable way. While I do not know the characters in his stories by their names, I can relate my own experiences with those personalities in my life. I am not into comedy yet this is one of my favorite books. I had not read my copy but my parents received a copy while we were in Nashville. My mom read the book aloud as we road back home. We laughed and laughed and shared our own stories.

Check out his book by clicking on the book icon at the top. You will find an exerpt from the book. Laughter is good for the soul, or if you need a birthday gift, hospital gift, or something for that person who has everything, they are affordable. Buy several for sharing with those who need a good laugh.

If you are not sure if you've been churched let me know after you've read the book. Better yet share it with Turner himself.