The Point of Church

When I think about my life I have been to church close to 2000 times.  If you count Sunday School, Kid's Club, Youth Groups, Youth Camps, Family Camps, Men's Camps and other variations that is a lot of singing, praying, and listening.  I am sure in that time there has been several hundred yawns, some good messages some terrible (some of both by me)!  So why?  What is the point of church? I have been thinking about this a little over the last few months as I think about my future and what I am going to invest my energies into. 

 

Relationship with God

The most important relationship in life is our relationship with God. Church must have at its heart the development of this relationship. Out of this relationship comes character, vision, courage, strength and purpose. These relationships are developed through small groups, preaching, reading, studies, camps, celebration, prayer! It is not all about singing and talking.  It is about listening, about being still and knowing who God is.  It is about learning to see God in the whole of life the big, the small, the significant, the insignificant. God is there in all of life, we need to learn to hear him!

 

Relationships with each other

Often overlooked is our relationship to each other. One of my desires of Church is that it develops deep spirited friends. That is, friendships that will stand the test of time and be there in the good and the bad. These friendships will drive each member deeply into the power of a relationship with God. This will be achieved by journeying through life together, worshiping, laughing, playing, coffee, burgers, coca cola, sport, dancing, walking, driving, studying, crying, singing, and shouting – all this and more will play their part in learning to love and care for each other deeply.

 

Relationships with non-Christians

This too, is an important part of the process - Church must build people who know God so well and feel so supported by others on their journey, that they can with confidence share their faith with those who do not know Christ.  The bible mandates that we share our faith with others.  How could we not share a relationship with the creator of the world!  However this is not by a formula but by honesty.  By knowing God deeply yourself, by knowing others deeply and seeing their journey with God.  Then living that so that other can see it and then explore God for themselves!

So that is what I think that the church is for, it is for God and relationship to Him.  It is for relating to each other deeply.  It is for those who do not know a relationship with God to see what it looks like.  How well does the church do this?  At times well at other times poorly.  The answer is not about more or better programs it is about better relationships, greater trust, and complete honesty!