Having grown up in a baptist church, a southern baptist church, I've seen so much tradition there and I'm afraid real ministry is often missed. The past two years have shown me that but I have seen it even more so in the past year. I've been more aware of people giving their lives for their faith while we sit in church critiquing music, people, vehicles, clothes, etc. It's mind boggling if nothing else.
There are so many things in the Bible that I don't know and haven't ever heard. I'm not much of a history buff and I'm not really into theology but I really do enjoy when someone studies the Bible well and is able to get things across to me that I've never known before. It makes me feel like I've learned something more to defend my faith rather than being told the same simple things all the time.
I feel like I'm getting away from my point...
What's the point of going to church to sit and listen to some people sing, a person or two say a prayer, give (or not give) some money, meet a few people, and listen to a man preach? It seems so...so...routine...comfortable...what we're used to...? I like routine. Routine makes me happy and keeps me from getting anxious. Comfortable makes me happy. Being uncomfortable is, well, uncomfortable...
Trying to determine whether I'm sucked into a routine or actively involved in a ministry where people are being reached by God's grace, love, and mercy, somehow seem to blur together and it's hard to tell which is which. That's a problem.
I like the word "radical". It's a scary word but it also gets a point across to me. Look-
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If going to church, or being part of a ministry isn't causing a change, isn't far reaching or thorough to anyone, or everyone, it needs to be reevaluated and made right.
This seems a little scattered but I know what I'm trying to say, I think...
I want to be actively involved...in a place...with other people...who love Jesus and are changed by who He is and who want to reach other people (pretty, ugly, smart, dumb, wasteful, talented, different, etc.) alike, or different, to experience the greatness of our God. I don't want to have to worry about wearing nice clothes (even thought I like to) just because that's what everyone wears when they go to church. I don't even know why I tell my kids they need to wear a certain type of clothes on Sunday. It doesn't even make sense when I say it.
I want, no...I need to see people living the purpose of church. I need to be a part of the reason there is church. I need church to not feel like a social event where you wonder who will talk to you this time or who will overlook you. I need to see passion in believers eyes that reflect the passion of their hearts. I need that kind of passion within myself more than just sometimes.
What is church? Why is it church? Who's real and who needs to see what's real before they can be real themselves? The answers are easy but so hard.
