How We Do Church

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I loved reading Jordan Kauflin’s “How Do You Prepare for Sunday?” post over at Desiring God today. Here’s the gist of it:

Are you a spectator at church? Do you go mainly to watch, not participate? Do you go with the expectation that everyone needs to make sure you have a good time? Do you expect to be served?

Or, are you a church worker-bee? Do you always miss the actual gathering time because you’re stuck in children’s ministry or ushering or setting up or greeting? Are you thinking about what you need to do rather than anticipating how God might meet you?


(     (Maybe you're like me, a sort of “church-mouse,” sneaking in a little late to avoid the intimidating social time before service, finding a seat near the back, and escaping right away to my car when it’s over. Whew! This anxious introvert just survived another Sunday morning, sweaty-palmed and heart-pounding.)

      We all have a “church persona.” Each of us does what we have to do to cope with the demands of church. 
       If we’re not careful, we can really miss out on having a super-rich experience. We might miss out on growth. We might miss out on hearing from God. Let’s remind ourselves of these three things for next Sunday: 1.) We go to church to receive, 2.) We go to church to respond, and 3.) We go to church to lift others up.

      Receiving. In case you didn’t know, God loves a party. He shows up when we gather. If you anticipate hearing from God at church, most likely, you will.
 
 Responding. Push yourself out of spectator mode, worker-bee mode, or escape mode, into participation mode. Sing out loud, confess your sins, really listen to God’s Word, take communion purposefully, and give your offering in grateful response to God.



Lifting others up. Take a look around you. There’s people! And like you, they need to be loved. Talk with someone. You have a part to play in this family called church.


You are not an outsider. Church is a place you belong. So, participate, don’t spectate! Relate, don’t put your head down and busy yourself with work. Expect God to use you, speak to you, and be blessed by you as you purpose to engage, even though it may be difficult.

Underachievers unite! We can do this!

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