Being connected

“…let us encourage one another all the more…”(Hebrews 10:25)

There is a commonly held opinion among many Americans, and probably lots of other people too, which goes something think this: “I don;t have any problem with God, in fact, God and I are great, but I don’t have any place in my life for organized religion.” Have you ever heard someone say that or something like that? Maybe you have even felt that way yourself. These same people may tell you their place of worship is on the gold course or watching the sun go up on their favorite bass pond.

It’s not hard to understand why people feel this way with so many high profile stories of pastors and priests who have failed their churches. People are skeptical. But the truth is God intends for us to experience this life of faith as part of a community of believers. As followers of Christ we need to be connected to a church (Hebrews 10:24-25). a church can range form a small group of people meeting in a home to a mega-church with thousands of people attending every week.

Scripture clearly tells us not to bypass church but to continually motivate each other when we come together as a group. We are to push each other on to be more loving and to do good in our community, to serve and engage those around us, and to be a place where the message of Christ is proclaimed.

New Christians find themselves in a receiving mode most of the time. They are receiving as they sit in church and learn fro the pastor. They are receiving as they begin to open their Bibles and learn they can actually understand it and they are being changed by God as they begin to draw near to Him through His Word. New believers are in “receiving” mode as more mature people take them under their wing and support and mentor them. This receiving phase can last for a long time. But at some point they begin to realize God has another plan besides simply pouring our rich blessings on them. His plan requires their active involvement. And this is when things really get exciting.

The realization dawn that God is going to use them. He has a ministry He has gifted them to do. And that assignment is going to make a difference in the world. “God is going to use me!” It’s an exciting realization.

God has a job for you. This is the main reason you need to be connected to a church. The church is the venue not only for you to receive and grow in, but also for you to find your special place in ministry. This is the place where God will use you to reach other people and bless them the way He is a blessing you. You will never find that kind of opportunity for a sustained place to serve God on the gold course. He has designed us to follow Him in community with other people who believe in Him. Being connected is the third corner of your faith foundation.