Is your church “home”?
Yesterday’s message was from James 2:1-13. It’s the passage where James challenges the church in its relationship of the “haves” and the “have nots.” It’s about favoritism. Sometimes, even more tragically, it gets harder to be included in a church than to be involved in a fraternity, sorority, or any type of club or organization. Many churches become elitist “clubs” or organizations, as illustrated by the following:
A woman who lived across the tracks wanted to join a fashionable church. She talked to the pastor about it, and he suggested she go home and think about it carefully for a week. At the end of the week she came back. He said, “Now, let’s not be hasty. Go home and read your Bible for an hour every day this week. Then come back and tell me if you feel you should join.” Although she wasn’t happy about it, she agreed to do so. The next week she was back, assuring the pastor she wanted to become a member of the church. In exasperation he said, “I have one more suggestion. You pray every day this week and ask the Lord if He wants you to come into our fellowship.” The pastor did not see the woman for 6 months. He met her on the street one day and asked her what she decided. She said, “I did what you asked me to do. I went home and prayed. One day while I was praying, the Lord told me, “Don’t worry about getting into the church. I’ve been trying to get into it myself for the last 20 years!”
Bet you didn’t see that coming! 🙂 Sadly, that happens more often that we’d like to admit. A church body should N.E.V.E.R. feel like that. That is a reproach to the ONE who died for the church. His death left the door open to all who call on His name-no matter the color, status, culture, job, or place in life-without compromising His truth.
A church should feel like home- a place where you can put your feet up and be comfortable. My suggestion to you is if you don’t feel like you are at home, then you find another church, one that feels like home.
So, let me ask you again: does your church feel like home?
That is such a telling story, Bill, and I didn’t see the ending coming, either. The church, of all places, should always feel like home. In fact, at ours, the cover of our weekly service bulletin has a simple drawing of our church with the words “Welcome home” placed underneath. Yes, we should welcome and make all feel as though they belong because they do.
Blessings!
I’m guessing many would not see the end coming. 🙂 I like the idea of what your bulletin does. People need to feel that sense of coming home.
After Dick retired, we tried at least four different churches-one for an entire month. It wasn’t till we got to Greencastle Baptist Church that we felt that anyone knew we were there! GBC knows how to welcome people, not just at the door, but into their fellowship–an example many churches could learn from.
I love hearing stories like that Pam. I’m so glad you and Dick found your home.