John and I have been working hard on designing our church's Fall direct mailers that will go out to the Webster / Penfield area at the end of this month.  We will be inviting people to come to our Fall Open House that will be for all of October.

 

Our theme for the mailers as wells as this year's open house is "Church Stories."  We're going to be inviting people to come, see, and experience true stories of how God is changing lives at BHCC.

 

If you think about it, the Bible is really a collection of TRUE stories about how imperfect people have had an encounter with a loving God---and how that encounter changed their lives forever.

 

The sad truth is, too many people today are giving up on church.  In the US, there is a very negative attitude and perception of what the church is all about. People have the WRONG perception and part of the fault in that is us Christians!!!

 

We've grumbled way too much about the church and church leaders and in the process, we've become part of the problem, not part of the solution.

 

Much of the problem comes from our American consumerism mentality. We go to the church expecting the church to serve us instead of going to church expecting to serve.  People today criticize the church and say it's filled with a bunch of hypocrites.  They focus on all the flaws in the church and then say that is the REASON they don't go.

 

Well, clearly these people have not read their Bibles and have the complete wrong impression of what God created the church to be!  Did you notice that I said that GOD CREATED THE CHURCH?  That's another wrong perception---people thinking that the church of Jesus Christ is a man or woman made idea.  The Bible is clear, the church is created by God, for God and Jesus said it is He who is building His Church.

 

Friends, God did not create the church for perfect people.  If the church was filled with perfect people, you and I would not be allowed in it.  In fact, the church would be quite empty.  God intentionally created the church and then invited IMPERFECT people to come and be a part of it & serve in it.  That's why one of our mottos at BHCC is "No Perfect People Allowed!"

 

We deliberately set the tone that this church is a place that has an extreme high value on GRACE!  God has given each of us grace and it is grace that He expects us to give each other.  We want to cultivate a soil of grace at BHCC & we need every person on board with this vision to accomplish it.

 

A big part of our mission at BHCC (and every Christian's mission in the world) is to change the way people think about the local church of Jesus Christ.

 

The Church is not a building, a denomination, a tradition, organized religion or a place that just wants your money.  The Bible says that the church is the Living Body of Jesus Christ.  The Church is Jesus........ in the world. 

 

I've heard all the arguments about how people can be a Christian and not go to church.  They have no idea what they are saying.  It's like saying that I can be a part of the Body of Christ, even if I'm not attached to it.

 

We've got to be the Light in the World.  We've got to tell people what the Word of God says about what the Church REALLY is---it's not just the people---it's the place that Christ has chosen to mainfest Himself in the world.  It's the place where a perfect God chooses to JOIN with His IMPERFECT children.

 

It's a privilege to gather together as His church.  Christ paid a huge price so that His imperfect followers could gather together in His Name---it is then that we all become righteous and holy---gathered together in love as His Church.

 

God is calling us to TALK UP the church.  If we're not excited about it, how will people see value in the church?  We've got to help people understand that the church is not a building or denomination---the church IS Jesus Christ---it is meant to be the hospital for the sick, not a country club for the saints.

 

Jesus was criticized for hanging out with sinners.  I think Jesus still wants to hang out with sinners TODAY & that's why He invites them to come and serve at His Church!

 

God is calling us to spread the word in our community: Don't give up on God's church! 

 

Don't become a church grumbler.  Read the Bible and see what the church really is.  Not all churches are alike.  Tell people: there's plenty of good, spirit-filled churches out there---try ours and if it's not a good fit, keep looking until you find the right one for you---the one where you can SERVE and not just be served!

 

I hear so many people today say, "Go to a church where you can be fed."  It doesn't say that in the bible!  That's a complete consumerism attitude in my opinion.  I think Jesus would say: "Find a church where you can SERVE!" 

 

I believe that the way we get spiritually fed has everything to do with serving the Lord.  That's putting God's Word & love in action. Of course it's important to read and know the Word of God.  But what good is head-knowledge if there is no spiritual muscle put into DOING the Word of God?

 

Friends, join me on this mission from God!  Get passionately in love with the Church of God---the Body of Christ!  Make it your mission too to talk up the church and the people of the church at every opportunity.  Enthusiasm is contagious.  Be excited and filled with wonder and expectation when we gather together for worship on Sunday. 

 

We need to tell people what the Bible says that the church is.  All of us have the responsibility of building UP the Body of Christ---not ever tearing it (or its people) down.  We build up the church by building UP and encouraging God's people---who make up the church.

 

Be an encouragement to the leaders and hard workers in God's church (even if they're not perfect and you don't always agree with them).  No one knows the battles and hard times that pastors and church leaders go through---we need encouragment, not criticism.  Think of the geese and how they honk encouragment to those leading the way.

 

Ask yourself, what can I do to help build up the church?  Consider these answers:

 

1.)  Reach out and unconditionally love other church members.  Make it your mission to be an encouragment to them.

 

2.)  Regularly attend and support your church with your smiling face.  Bring an attitude of grace & love with you every Sunday.

 

3.)  PRAY for your church.  Pray for your pastors and leaders every day.  Pray for your church family and tell them often how much you love and pray for them.  Love is so easy to give away and you never run out when you let it come from the Lord.

 

4.) TITHE to your church!  Put giving to building up the Body of Christ FIRST on your list and not last.  If you miss attending for a week, bring it in the next week.  The Bible tells us that we can be guilty of stealing from God what belongs to Him.  Everything we have has been given to us from Him.  And remember, you can't outgive God.  Give to Him and He will give back to you.

 

5.) Support your pastors and church leaders.  Give them grace at times.  Remember, they're imperfect people too, just like you. You may not always agree with them & they may let you down at times.  Give them grace & pray for them.  Encourage them often & thank God for them.  Where would the church be without pastors and leaders?  Cheer them on!

 

6.) Tell unchurched friends, family, neigbors and coworkers about what the church means to you.  Tell them stories about how lives are being transformed.  Tell them what the bible says the true meaning of church is.  INVITE them to church and don't give up on them.  Pray for them.  If our church isn't their style, encourage them to try other churches until they find the right one.

 

7.)  Find a place to SERVE at your church.  Remember, Jesus said He came not to be served, but TO SERVE.  Don't see the church through the eyes of American consumerism---you know the gig---what's in it for me?  See the church through the eyes of Christ and ask yourself, "How can I help?  What can I do to build this place up for God?  How can I be part of the solution and not part of the problem?  How can I give back to the awesome God who has been SO GOOD to me?"

 

Remember friends, remember all that God has done for you!  Remember the good that the church has done and is doing.  Don't let excuses and negative attitudes steal your passion for the church of Christ! 

 

Together, we can start a revolution that can spread across this great country of ours!  We can bring back this country's passion for being a part of the living Body of Christ---just as it once was founded upon.  It starts with one person.  It starts with one small group of people.  It spreads like light spreads in the darkness!