Episode 125 - Transformed to Fit in the Body - Be Transformed Part 6

There are so many reasons people give for not being a part of a local church -   I can get better preaching from a podcast. I can worship on my own. I can study the Bible on my own. I have Christian friends that are my “church.” I have to work on Sundays. I have family obligations on the weekends. I feel like church is boring. I don’t feel like there’s a place for my child or teen. I don’t know where there’s a good church near me. I’m not sure I have the same beliefs I used to. I don’t agree with my church’s stance on sexuality. I’ve had my feelings hurt by church members. The people at my old church are hypocrites. I don’t feel like there’s a place for me to serve. 

Does the Bible say say anything about being a part of a church, about becoming a member of a church, about worship, about what to look for in a church, when to leave a church? Or is much of this subjective. Tune it to this week's episode for answers to these questions and more, and how the church fits into us being transformed!

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Transcript

Episode 125 – Transformed to Fit in the Body

         Welcome back! Chris, we have a lot to talk about today. Our subject is church! Whether you love to go to church, don’t have a church, or maybe don’t want to have a church, there’s a lot to consider! The local church can be a very good place to help you transform! Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” It’s great for transforming, though it’s not always pretty!

          That’s one reason some people don’t want to be part of a local church. But there are a lot of reasons people give for not attending a local church. Quite frankly, some of them are pretty shallow. Reasons why people don’t want to be involved in a church is where we’ll start today. As we often do, let’s start with some of the top reasons people who consider themselves “committed Christians” gave in the year 2020 for not attending church (other than the whole virus thing). Here’s the list: I can get better preaching from a podcast. I can worship on my own. I can study the Bible on my own. I have Christian friends that are my “church.” I have to work on Sundays. I have family obligations on the weekends. I feel like church is boring. I don’t feel like there’s a place for my child or teen. I don’t know where there’s a good church near me. I’m not sure I have the same beliefs I used to. I don’t agree with my church’s stance on sexuality. I’ve had my feelings hurt by church members. The people at my old church are hypocrites. I don’t feel like there’s a place for me to serve. And one we’re not going to elaborate on and that is if you’ve had a serious, traumatic experience at church. In that instance we urge you to seek solid biblical counseling so you can be part of a body worshiping together at some point. 

         Our overarching verse for this (and this will also be our memory verse for this week) is Hebrews 10:25 (from the Berean Study Bible) “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” That Day is the Day Jesus returns, and every day we get closer to it, and until then the Holy Spirit will be sanctifying us to be more and more like our Savior. In this episode, we’ll frame our discussion in the form of frequently asked questions about going to church – everything from “Do Christians have to go to church?” to “Do I have to be a member of a local church?” to “Is there ever a right time to leave a church if I’m not moving away?” and many more. Chris, we’ve got some tough questions to answer. So, starting off with the first one that I mentioned – “Do Christians have to go to church?” 

Sounds like it from our memory verse! But let’s continue answering that by examining more Scripture, starting at the beginning of the church in Acts 2. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came upon the group of believers at Pentecost, and these are the things we’re told they continued to do after that day, found in verses 42-47: Day after day, at the temple (AND in their homes), they devoted themselves constantly to the instruction of the apostles and fellowship with the others. In addition to that, they ate meals together – including sharing the Lord's Supper – and they prayed. And verses 44-45 say, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” You want to explain that before we go on?

People interpret those verses wrong when someone is trying to promote communism or socialism, or some type of communal living. But if you read the very next verse, it tells us that day by day they “broke bread in their homes.” This text itself and others make it clear that at least some (and probably many of them), owned homes! In addition to that, using Scripture to interpret Scripture, Peter told Ananias that while his land remained unsold, it was still his own, and even after he sold the property, the proceeds were still his own. (Acts 5:4) And there are lots and lots of other texts that tell us believers owned personal possessions. This was voluntary sharing to provide for those lacking. The opposite of communism and socialism (where the government takes everything and never distributes much at all) and it’s also very different from living in a commune. But back to our original question, about attending church, it does show that they were meeting together often.

         And in Acts 11, Stephen, Barnabas, Paul and others taught the Antioch church (referred to as “a great many people”) for a whole year. They weren’t going to individual homes. And the people weren’t staying home alone watching on the internet! Not that it was available, but my point is … they were meeting together. And…  how many verses of Scripture are devoted to talking about the different parts of the body, starting with our head – Christ – Who is “the head of the body, the church” according to Colossians 1:18.

         We’re supposed to be connected. And we’ve only mentioned a few verses. Romans 12, Corinthians, Ephesians 1and 4, and Colossians 3:14-16 all talk about the body of Christ, the Church. So, we’re confident in saying “Yes, definitely, Christians are to be part of a local church of believers.”

 Now if you can’t actually attend on Sundays and your church doesn’t offer the service at a different time of the week, that doesn’t totally change things. There are still ways you can be connected to a local body of believers. Most churches livestream their services or at least tape them to be watched later. And we’d encourage you to do that – weekly – so that you’re seeing and hearing the same things the rest of the members of that church are. And then, get involved with something regularly happening at that church at a time that suits. You can still be connected to the body! 

And if you’re physically limited and can’t get out, we still urge you to contact a local church and get connected somehow. Most churches will bring communion to you so that you can participate which is spiritually strengthening. Some churches have visitation rotations set up for people who are shut in, and there are things you can do to serve that body, like through prayer, for instance. There is some part of that church (whatever local body it is) that’s missing a part of its body because you’re not part of it. So reach out and find out how you CAN be connected! Because you’re needed!

         Before we go on to the next thing, I’ve heard people say that they’ve tried church, but they’re always ignored, or they don’t fit in, or someone’s been mean to them at a church, so they don’t go. So … what about that verse, “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:20. Does that really mean that if you and your two friends get together on Sunday mornings, it’s considered church?   

         In most cases, “No.” The meaning of that verse has to do with church discipline of a professing believer who’s a member of the church. In Matthew 16:19 Jesus gives Peter the “keys to the kingdom” and authority to “bind and loose.” In Matthew 18 Jesus gives that authority to all the Apostles. The authority they are given is to censure the church body – meaning to both allow or bar someone from membership or bar them from the communion table, and maybe even excommunicate someone if they are steeped in gross, unrepentant sin. All that is definitely to be done according to Scripture. This authority is extended to a body of elders in the church – or in other words, “2 or 3 gathered in [Jesus’s] name.” 

         So, you can’t get out from under the mandate of going to a church by meeting with a few friends, except maybe in very unusual circumstances. This church discipline thing you brought up is a hot topic for Christians. It’s common for Christians in the evangelical church today to balk at the idea of it. That’s one of the reasons even regular attenders say they don’t like the idea of church membership. Which is the next question we’re discussing: “Do I have to be a member of a local church?”

         The problem people have with church membership usually comes about because no one wants to agree to submit to the authority of anyone else and because people don’t like commitment today – regardless of what the Bible says. To be so anti-commitment is really opposite of the way God is with us. He loves us with a hesed love – a love that means you’re totally faithful and committed to the covenants and promises made. 

         There are lots of reasons that church membership is important. Kevin DeYoung says, “Even if you will only be in town for a few years, it’s still not a bad idea to join a church. It lets your home church (if you are a student) know that. You are being cared for, and it lets your present know that. You want to be cared for here.” I think it’s the same with military. One of Zach’s former churches said most of the time they don’t expect military to become members, but I like what Pastor DeYoung said. It makes sense.

         When we join a church, we’re making a visible commitment to Christ, and to His people. In a very real way, we’re saying to the members we sit in the pews with that we’re open for encouragement, rebuking, training, correcting, serving others and being served. Don’t forget about the promises they make to you!

         People try to say that there’s no mention in the Bible of church membership, but that’s not really true. In Acts 2:47 it says about the early church, “And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved.” It shows there was a list of believers; otherwise, what would new converts be “added” to so that they knew the number was growing? And, Paul writes letters to churches. Jesus addresses churches in Revelation. Having churches let’s leaders know who they are spiritually responsible for. It wouldn’t make sense to give them responsibility and not know who they are overseers of. 

         And that brings us back to the idea that becoming a church member means that someday you might be disciplined! And, yes, that means that someone might be in your personal business. Let’s be honest, it doesn’t happen all that often. It’s for cases of gross sin and unrepentance. In reality, Christians should look at membership and the discipline that might come with it, as a blessing. The men leading your church have been charged by Jesus to be “keep watch over your souls,” as those who will have to give an account. These people are there to help you, not hurt you! And we know that some have been hurt by their spiritual leaders because there are some wicked, evil ones that have wormed their way into churches. But we can’t throw out what the Bible teaches about the church and how it’s supposed to be because there are some who do wrong. Some is not the majority.

         This is good time for us to remember that life isn’t all about US. We might not like commitment or the possibility of being disciplined, but we’re here to glorify God. Church discipline is about correcting sinful behavior among the members for their good and for God’s glory

Now that we know we can’t be Lone Ranger Christians and that membership is important, and even if we can get better preaching from a podcast that we should belong to a local church and attend it, what do you say to someone who asks, “What should I look for in a church?”

         And once again, we’ll start with some answers we found asking that question on the internet! These are from “Christian Today” website: A place where you feel welcomed. A place where you feel comfortable. A place that doesn’t let you stay comfortable (meaning that the service should change from week to week; not be in a routine.) A church that’s reaching out to the community. A place within walking distance. And here’s the top 4 from Campus Crusade: Community (a church full of welcoming, loving people that want to know you and be with you). Commitment (Is this someplace you can commit to). Involvement (the church can provide unique opportunities for you.) Worship (do you like the way this church worships?) The list goes on with beliefs that you can comfortably agree with, evangelistic aims, and all the way down at number 8 is Biblically Based Teachings.

         Chris, these lists have a lot of the word “You” in them. It’s all about satisfying what you want; just like the people who don’t go to church because they feel like it’s boring. Guess what? It’s not about you. It’s about God. Let me give you a different list. This is from 9Marks who got their name from coming up with a list of nine marks of a healthy church: First, expositional preaching. That means cracking the Bible open and the pastor explaining the meaning of the text or passage. Often the pastor will preach through entire books of the Bible, explaining them. In a nutshell, if the sermons you’re hearing are topical, find another church. Next, they have biblical theology, and then (in this order) a biblical understanding of: the gospel, of conversion, of evangelism, or church membership, of church discipline, of discipleship and growth, and of church leadership. I don’t see anything about my comfort, how interested people are in me, or any mention about being thrilled with the type of worship. Why? Because those aren’t the important things.

         The ministers of God’s Word in the Bible were never about entertainment! And neither were the song leaders! They were there to preach the Word of God, and lead God’s people in praising Him and telling about Him through song. Joel Beeke talks about the Word in worship in his devotional, “None Else.” He says “God’s spirituality demands simplicity in the worship of God in spirit and truth – we read the Word, pray the Word, preach the Word, and see the Word made visible in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.” It’s the Word of God regenerated hearts respond to, it’s what penetrates our hearts and transforms us, calls us to repentance, encourages us, helps us love Christ and others more, prods us out of our laziness so that we want to serve Him, and a bunch of other things! 

Music in church is a big deal. A worship director should make sure that all of the songs line up with Scripture. And it’s hard to get around the fact that most of the hymns are chock full of truths about God. Often, they will teach us more than most contemporary songs will. I’m not against contemporary music; it’s just a fact. I read a blog by Dan Michael Cohan, a worship leader who went from only doing contemporary music to adding in some hymns, to doing mostly hymns. He’ says this about the transition: “I had come to recognize that these ancient hymns accomplished something that the new songs weren’t. While contemporary worship seemed to take the listener on an exciting an emotional rollercoaster, the old hymns engaged the mind with deep and glorious truths that when sincerely pondered caused a regenerated heart to humbly bow before its King.”

We’re not saying there’s something wrong with contemporary music. And there’s some really good stuff out there. All we’re saying is that the style isn’t the most important thing, and we should never be trying to manipulate peoples’ emotions in the worship service because worship isn’t about some feeling that you get! Worship in its broadest sense is something we do with our whole lives. Worship in its narrowest sense are specific acts of adoration and praise (like singing a song of praise.) And then we have this thing we call “the worship service” that people call worship. What Joel Beeke said (we are to read the Word (1 Tim. 4:13), pray the Word (Matt. 21:13), preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2), and see the Word made visible in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 28:19, Acts 2:38-39, 1 Cor. 11:23-26 and Col. 2:11-12).” ) is true.

         Despite the popular idea that the Bible “really doesn’t tell us what to do and what not to do” in worship, the fact is, there’s a lot in the Bible about it. There’s Scripture that prescribes what should be done in worship, many things that should not be done, and things that should be limited in the worship service. So much so that the Reformers (especially John Calvin) came up with something referred to as “the regulative principle” for worship to keep worship free from “acts of impropriety and idiocy.” The things Mr. Beeke says in the book line up with that. There can be diversity, but we should never make worship about our preferences, and whether or not we feel some sort of emotion. 

         And in direct opposition to Campus Crusade’s idea of the worship service always changing, liturgy in the worship service is for a purpose. There’s a pattern to it. The pattern is this: we approach God in worship but also with the stain of sin; God proclaims God’s gracious, saving Word to us; we respond with gratitude toward God that is expressed in service toward others. It’s patterned after the gospel and follows the same structure as the Heidelberg Catechism. All the specific elements of the worship service – things like prayers, Scripture reading, communion, songs all fit within the broader structure. 

         We hope that gives some insight why some churches follow a liturgy and are very structured! It’s not boring! In fact, it’s much more thought-provoking than not having liturgy. Now, going back to our lists, two things were mentioned that are similar: going to a church that can provide unique opportunities for you was one of the recommendations, and one of the reasons people gave in 2020 for not going to church  was “I don’t feel like there is a place for me to lead.”

         Which brings us to serving in the church and more questions that get asked: “How do I know where I fit in the body? How do we find out what job or role is ours? How do I know what spiritual gift or gifts are mine, and do they ever change?” What about spiritual gifts tests – or the enneagram - are they valid?  And here’s a good one: “If I attend regularly but I’m not a member, can I serve?”

         Let’s start with serving by going back to Acts 2: the people gathered for teaching by the Apostles. Chris, that’s a point not to skip over and there are two important points to make of it. One is that they weren’t just taught by anybody who felt like teaching. There are qualifications for being the one who stands up and preaches to the church on Sunday. The other point to make about it is that teaching was the Apostles’ job! And that should be what we think of as our pastor’s/preacher’s job – his primary and most important function! They don’t have to (and probably shouldn’t be) involved in every single aspect of the church, nor many aspects of it! A teaching elder does not have time for that! 

We’ve talked about this many times Rose, but you and I know how much time it takes to teach something! A pastor who’s teaching and explaining the Bible to you doesn’t just sit down and write out a sermon – and he CERTAINLY shouldn’t be pulling one off the internet! And we shouldn’t want that! Most good pastors or teaching elders will read the passage they’re preaching from over and over and very likely will read the whole book the passage is out of, maybe several times! Now let it sink in for a moment just how much time that takes out of a week.  Plus, he’ll be in prayer A LOT! On top of that, he’ll be reading commentaries, other book about the passage (as well as books not related to it). You don’t want a pastor that’s not well-read and doesn’t keep up with what’s happening in the world! And, he’ll have to write his sermon, probably practice it a few time, and all of that is on top of anything else he might be responsible for at church (which shouldn’t be much if anything) as well as for the Presbytery (or whatever denominations government you’re under). And many of them have a wife, kids, parents, etc. that need his time and attention too! 

The point we’re making is that the pastor/teacher for your church should not be expected to do much except prepare for preaching and teaching by doing the things we mentioned. The rest is pretty much the congregation’s job, according to the Bible! In Acts 6 there’s a problem with certain widows being neglected in the daily distribution of food. The problem was brought to the attention of the twelve Apostles, and they called together the other disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”” (Acts 6 :2-4) 

This wasn’t the Apostles thinking too highly of themselves to serve food; this was them knowing that they couldn’t do it all, and if they tried, they wouldn’t be doing what God specifically called them to do very well. A congregation should guard their pastor’s time, and make sure he’s not overburdened. The elders should make sure he’s not taking on more than he should. What that leads to is the congregation getting involved in the work that God planned in advance for THEM to do, as it says in Ephesians 2:10. Since the congregation has a lot of work to do, let’s answer one of the questions, “Can I serve in the local church if I am not a member?”

This is another opportunity to possibly be offended. Once we’re past specific things the Bible says about certain positions (like the fact that women aren’t called to be teaching elders), it’s up to the church leadership who can serve in what capacities. The answer about having to be a member might be “Yes, but only if we are confident you adhere to the same theology and doctrine of the church.” The answer might be “no” across the board – whether it’s serving in the nursery or teaching adults. Because the truth is you’re not under authority of the spiritual leaders of the church and they’re responsible for what happens. And, from birth till death, it’s important to teach correct doctrine and theology. Teaching a false or half-truth Gospel message (like “just ask Jesus into your heart”) is unacceptable, no matter what age. It’s not salvific. So don’t be offended if you’re not a member, and aren’t allowed to serve, at least in certain capacities. Same goes if you’re a member with shaky theology. Learn more and join the church. 

Absolutely! People can be offended all they want, but the church leaders aren’t running a business. If that’s basically all you’re church leadership is about – paying the bills, taking care of the building, coming up with mission statements or goals for the church – then can that church and go somewhere else! Church leadership might do those things, but their job is a shepherding position overseeing the church’s spiritual life, and the men who do it are directly responsible before God. 

All Christians are to serve, and there’s a lot to do! We’re not called a “local church body” for no reason. This is a long passage but an important one: 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 says, “For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts,[a] yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. If you are AWOL a body part is missing and the local church is hurting. We need to be serving. One of the questions asked was “How do I know where I fit in the body, or what job or role is mine? 

Good question to ask. At one time, I was feeling like I should serve in some way, so I decided to teach little kids. That was not in my wheelhouse at all. I just wasn’t a little kid person even though I had little kids and it drove me crazy. I didn’t want to just dump the job and run, so I asked the pastor’s wife and she said, “If you are in a position that you’re not supposed to be, you’re in someone else’s position. And they won’t fill it until you step out.” So I gave a date I was stepping out, and someone else stepped in and was perfect for it. Doesn’t always work out that way, but after that, I did a lot of different things – things I never dreamed I would do – and had a lot of good experiences and some bad. So, my first piece of advice would be to be willing to try things. Every Christian is given gifts by the Holy Spirit to use in serving the Church. 

 Getting back to the original question about how to know where you fit into serving the body; pray about it, talk to your pastor or elders, find out what needs done in your church where it works out for you to serve – and then step in and try it! And remember, there’s nothing wrong with meeting needs within your church, even if you don’t particularly like what you’re doing for a little while, and then you step out. We all know what we’re good at and what talents we have. Start using them and see where it leads. And don’t be lazy about it. Don’t just take the easy road of serving when you could possibly be doing something that’s harder or takes more time, if you can do that! Let someone else do what you’re doing! 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” I learned how to play percussion drums and instruments in a praise band. If I can do that, you should be willing to step up to the plate and try!

         And you did a fabulous job! You just never know until you try! Step up to the plate and work hard, like Colossians 3:23-34 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” So we encourage you to step up to the plate or step out into something new and fill a need. But, sometimes there’s been hurt when people try to serve. One of those 2020 reasons for not attending church was “I’ve been hurt by church members, and I don’t want to attend church.”

         Often that happens when you’re serving in the church. I’ll re-quote Luther from a few weeks ago believers are Simul Justus et peccator (simultaneously just and sinful). That’s the state of all the believers you go to church with and YOU! Everybody still has a sinful nature they struggle with. And don’t forget, not everybody in church is saved. So don’t expect there not to be any problems.

Most of us are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13 “the Love chapter” because it’s used at weddings a lot. But the chapter really isn’t about a couple getting married. The apostle Paul is carrying on with teaching about using our gifts. We’re to serve each other and serve with each other lovingly, above all else. Love is born out of the fruit of the Spirit – something being developed and honed in all of us – which we’ll talk about next week. Everybody serving has to keep in mind that none of us is perfected yet. We’re all in various stages of the process. It’s gonna take a lot of humbleness and a lot of forgiveness.

         If you’ve had your feelings hurt in a church, we encourage you to try to work it out with your fellow brother or sister. And don’t give us going to church or serving because of it. Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has. A grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Iron sharpening iron is not the way most iron is sharpened any more, unless you watch “Forged in Fire” like John and I do. But iron was honed and sharpened by being hammered into shape, and then buried in a hot bed of coals, and then being quenched, which makes the surface hard and abrasion-resistant so that it was more durable. As hard as some things are to go through, they will make us tougher and more resilient. And as much as we might hate it, there is a positive side. But once again, we have to be willing to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 says “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other as just as in Christ God forgave you.” It’s not easy, but we have to do it so we can get back to doing what we’re supposed to be doing.

         Our transformation doesn’t take place in a vacuum. We need other people to help us transform. Sometimes that happens through caring, thoughtful help, and sometimes we transform through being tested and tried by others who get on our nerves. Both help make us more like Jesus. So, Chris, our last question: “Is there ever a time to leave a church other than moving out of the area?”

          Yes. But we should take our church membership very seriously. It shouldn’t be consumer-driven, looking for what suits me today and tomorrow going somewhere else we found that’s more appealing. No church-hopping! We shouldn’t leave because we got our feelings hurt, because some decision didn’t go our way, because the church got too big, or shrunk too small to suit our tastes. When we’ve joined a church we’ve taken vows, not only to that congregation and it’s elders, but to the Lord. 

         That’s something we don’t always think about, but a point we should! Many times people say they “aren’t being fed” and sometimes pastors aren’t preaching the word and feeding the flock. But before we bolt for the door, we need to examine ourselves to see if we’re really listening to make sure we know where the problem definitely lies. And if it’s with the pastor, go to your elders or other leaders and sit down and have a conversation with them. Maybe other people are feeling the same and it could benefit everyone in the end, including the pastor!

         We should never leave for surface reasons. But sometimes there are reasons to leave: If your church is compromising the truths of Scripture – ordaining homosexuals, saying there’s more than one way of salvation, saying that you have to accept and agree with Critical Race Theory or you’re not really a Christian (which in essence is adding to the Gospel), or the denomination your church is under is going down that path, and your church doesn’t seem to mind and wants to go in that direction too, or they aren’t preaching the real Gospel message, you have to consider leaving. There’s a time for staying and trying to make change but eventually you have to accept that you’re in an apostate church if they aren’t turning from it. Rose, what about the 2020 person that stopped going to church because there was no place for their child or teen?

         Your children going to church is important. And it is easier if they want to go because their friends are there or because they like the activities. But what’s most important for your child is the same as it is for you: Expository preaching and all of the rest of the nine marks of a healthy church we mentioned before. I wouldn’t say never leave to go somewhere that your children want to go, but never trade biblical teaching for fun or friends. And before even considering it, if your church has great teaching, why not try to work on starting something there that their friends will want to come to?

         Good points! And if you’re not sure you believe the same things you did when you joined your church, or you’re offended by your church’s positions on things, or your theological position has changed, don’t just leave. Talk to your elders. Dig into the Bible and wrestle with your new positions. The last thing you want to do it make decisions on how you feel if your feelings don’t line up with God’s Word. 

         Crossway listed 10 reasons to go to church: To hear the preaching of the Word, to participate in Corporate Worship, Because iron sharpens iron, to Exercise your Gift, To encourage your pastor, to find Godly mentors, to teach your kids ot love the Church, to be light to your community, to bear each other’s burdens, and last, but certainly not least, Because God says to.

         And that’s a good place to end today! Have a blessed day everyone!