Hi Paul, I’ve prayed over the seats many times knowing that while I don’t know what all my people are going through, the Lord does. The online option was always meant to reach those that could not make it for whatever reason, or perhaps reach the searching unbeliever that’s open. But it was never meant to be a final stop. I believe it comes down to a consumerism that’s permeated the church that overlooks what the body of Christ brings to the local church experience.
My family was saved in the local church, I met my husband at the local church, I use my skills working as a former barista to serve in the cafe at my local church. The local church is what has helped shape me as a follower of Christ, I am better because of it.
During Covid we went on line. It was a blessing. We had moved but had not found a local church yet. But we knew had to start looking. We went to 5 different churches before finding a home. It’s been wonderful. We are slowly knowing names. lol. I volunteered for church school. Getting there.
St. Mark’s chapter 7:24-37 is a great example of Christ’s Word working both from far away when He casts out the demon from the Syrophencian woman’s daughter and the intimacy of Jesus in His healing the deaf and mute man. Christ’s word achieve great things in both ways but nothing is greater than the intimate contact with God and our brothers and sisters in a church community. God’s peace to y’all
When I was first saved in 1988, the person who led me to Christ kinda forgot to mention to find a local church to be a part of. But God. We did visit a church 2 years later. On that night, my husband accepted Jesus. A month later, we were both baptized in that little Baptist church. Two years later our 3 children one by one said yes to Jesus. One of them now Pastors a little country church and ministers to those no one wants to deal with. 34 years later we are still very active in our church family. Not the same address, or even the same denomination, but our lives are so much richer because we do have a family we can lean on. During Covid and because of a compromised immune system due to cancer treatments and a weak liver, my worship team, who i had sung with for years, brought worship to my husband and I. Drive by birthday parties have nothing over having 20+ members show up on your driveway and have an amazing service…all because they loved me enough and knew how much I missed people. How much I missed raising my voice in praise with my family. We remain in community because we get to give as much as we receive. The blessings are without numbers. And because of community, I’m a better person.
Thank you Pastor Nathan. I have found the enemy will give us a 1,000 reasons to not attend a local church. Covid was not a help, even before that, I think many churches tried to pitch online church as a suitable option, convenient, easy, we can be anonymous. God made us for relationships, we need to be around people physically, there is great benefits when believers gather. I am a member of a local church, there are times when attending church can be a spiritual battle that as a leader I sometimes just want to take the easy option out - just attend online, watch church online later, etc. One Pastor I had said he would walk through the sanctuary before service and pray over each row of where people would be, because he knew they are probably dealing with a spiritual battle that wants to prevent them from hearing God's message. I can kind of like that, your thoughts?
Hi Paul, I’ve prayed over the seats many times knowing that while I don’t know what all my people are going through, the Lord does. The online option was always meant to reach those that could not make it for whatever reason, or perhaps reach the searching unbeliever that’s open. But it was never meant to be a final stop. I believe it comes down to a consumerism that’s permeated the church that overlooks what the body of Christ brings to the local church experience.
My family was saved in the local church, I met my husband at the local church, I use my skills working as a former barista to serve in the cafe at my local church. The local church is what has helped shape me as a follower of Christ, I am better because of it.
Awesome! I thank God for you in our church family!
During Covid we went on line. It was a blessing. We had moved but had not found a local church yet. But we knew had to start looking. We went to 5 different churches before finding a home. It’s been wonderful. We are slowly knowing names. lol. I volunteered for church school. Getting there.
Glad you’re leaning in!
At my age I really have learned to lean in on God for strength. lol :)
St. Mark’s chapter 7:24-37 is a great example of Christ’s Word working both from far away when He casts out the demon from the Syrophencian woman’s daughter and the intimacy of Jesus in His healing the deaf and mute man. Christ’s word achieve great things in both ways but nothing is greater than the intimate contact with God and our brothers and sisters in a church community. God’s peace to y’all
When I was first saved in 1988, the person who led me to Christ kinda forgot to mention to find a local church to be a part of. But God. We did visit a church 2 years later. On that night, my husband accepted Jesus. A month later, we were both baptized in that little Baptist church. Two years later our 3 children one by one said yes to Jesus. One of them now Pastors a little country church and ministers to those no one wants to deal with. 34 years later we are still very active in our church family. Not the same address, or even the same denomination, but our lives are so much richer because we do have a family we can lean on. During Covid and because of a compromised immune system due to cancer treatments and a weak liver, my worship team, who i had sung with for years, brought worship to my husband and I. Drive by birthday parties have nothing over having 20+ members show up on your driveway and have an amazing service…all because they loved me enough and knew how much I missed people. How much I missed raising my voice in praise with my family. We remain in community because we get to give as much as we receive. The blessings are without numbers. And because of community, I’m a better person.
I’m so glad you and Doug are here!
Thank you Pastor Nathan. I have found the enemy will give us a 1,000 reasons to not attend a local church. Covid was not a help, even before that, I think many churches tried to pitch online church as a suitable option, convenient, easy, we can be anonymous. God made us for relationships, we need to be around people physically, there is great benefits when believers gather. I am a member of a local church, there are times when attending church can be a spiritual battle that as a leader I sometimes just want to take the easy option out - just attend online, watch church online later, etc. One Pastor I had said he would walk through the sanctuary before service and pray over each row of where people would be, because he knew they are probably dealing with a spiritual battle that wants to prevent them from hearing God's message. I can kind of like that, your thoughts?
100% true…