You can be a Christian and not go to Church?!

Chances are, you have talked with someone who has said that they are a Christian but not in a church... or that they have their “own” church (by themselves).  A couple of weeks ago I had a conversation where it was mentioned that the “golf course” used to be this person’s “church.”  What does that even mean?  

I do know that prayers and petitions are offered occasionally while playing golf and, yes, Jesus is often mentioned in between shots by some... but “church?”
 

You know what they meant.  Golf was simply what they did on Sunday morning instead of attending a local church.  But this whole topic gets close to the question of definition: what does the word “church” really mean?  Here’s another question: is it possible to experience “church” simply by watching someone preach on the internet (like the messages we post at www.rdf.org and in this blog during our FTF series)?

Most of us know intuitively, regardless of how we use the term, a church really isn’t a building or a location and it’s more than listening to a sermon.  It is “the people” (the Greek meaning of the word is “the called out ones”).  In that sense, proximity doesn’t determine identity.  It’s not so much a matter of “can I be a Christian and not go to church?”  The reality is: if you are a Christian, you ARE part of the church.  Period.  But if that’s true – if I’m already “in” – why “go” at all?  Why bother, especially if I’m too tired to get up or people are coming over or I might see someone there that I’m really not sure I want to see or there is a big game on TV (I realize I’m close to meddling now!)?  Why not just sit back and watch the sermons on our church website every week?  After all, we put the messages up there!

I don’t know if this will surprise you or not, and I really don’t want to burst any bubbles, but there are times when I have not been excited about “going to church” on a weekend... times when I would have preferred to be someplace else... probably for many of the same reasons that you aren’t always excited about it.  :-) There are times when I would rather not get up early to attend my men’s group or when I don’t feel like going to my small group.  However, inevitably when I do go, I’m always glad afterwards that I did.  Even if I’m feeling too tired or discouraged or drained, I will usually leave feeling lifted up and thankful.  You might be thinking, “Duh... that’s what’s supposed to happen.”  I know that, too, but for some reason it is always a pleasant and good surprise when it does.

If you are truly “in Christ” you are a part of Christ’s body, you belong to His family, so you need to live like it!

The memory verse for this week is both convicting and challenging to me: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.”  I mean, I’m not intentionally mean to other people, I try to think of others in most of the things I’m doing, but am I really “devoted” to other believers?  How can I (or you) live that way unless there is regular contact, fellowship, and connection with others in the body of Christ?  I know that as a pastor I can’t do it alone.  Relationships that don’t go beyond bumping into each other on the church patio or even deeper than watching each others’ Facebook postings (and an occasional “poke”), are probably not truly characteristic of the Biblical mandate.  It’s sobering... but it’s also encouraging – when I think about the possibilities of what God can do in His church (in us) when we just take steps to meet together regularly and reach out in love to others!  I’ve seen it happen... great spiritual growth, deep satisfaction and joy, significant needs met – when people take God seriously and take the step to connect well and often with other believers.

Here at Rose Drive Friends Church, we have MANY opportunities to find connections and real friends... groups for children, students, and lots of different adult group meeting during the week (several of which are starting now during this First Things First series).  These are places to grow, to serve, to learn, to love and to be loved.  If you’d like to find out more, check out the panel to the RIGHT or visit our church website related to small groups.

This week, and on into the future, let’s not just go to church, let’s truly BE the church!

Worship Rocks (or... should I say... the Big Rock of Worship)

Last weekend, we met the Marionette family in our worship services at Rose Drive Friends Church.  As you will see in the clip that follows, they are launching out on a journey.  They are going to "Promiseland" -- but it really is an adventure to learn to put First Things First in their lives.

In the message for last weekend, I know I may have offended some people when talking about worship.  I was thankful that others mentioned (actually, quite a few mentioned) that they really appreciated the message and found it to be helpful.  Obviously, offensiveness is not my real goal (and I felt the need to sort of give a blanket apology in each service), but there are some things that all of us need to re-think at times when it relates to this most important of values as followers of Jesus Christ. 

“Is it OK to have drums in church?!”

When I was a teenager, one of the big, provocative questions among many churches was:  “Is it OK to have drums in church?!” It’s almost hard to remember (it seems so long ago), but only a little less than 20 years have passed since Rose Drive Friends Church added its first regular drum set to our sanctuary.  A lot has changed since then. 

God wants us to worship Him.  Jesus used a “memory verse” when responding to Satan in the wilderness: “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” (Matthew 4:10, quoting a passage in Deuteronomy)  He loves us and wants us to love Him in return – and evidently – He also wants us to express that love!  David’s invitation is meaningful: “O Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!” (Psalm 34:3)  With that in mind, it’s interesting that so many disputes have taken place among believers in relation to this most basic of Christian values.

For some reason, many misunderstandings about worship experiences have arisen over the years.  Some think that worship is the same thing as music.  Singing and music is (or at least can be) an important aspect of worship.  I love music, and it has been an important part of my life and worship experiences… but it is not synonymous with worship.  Worship is so much more. 

Perhaps an even greater misunderstanding is that worship is an event that we “go” to – like a movie, a performance of some kind, or a sporting event.  Kierkegaard is the one who suggested that many people view a worship service like attending the theater, where the congregation is the audience, the leaders are the actors, and God is the prompter.  The reality is, God is the audience, the leaders are the prompters, and those in the congregation are the actors. 

I’ll confess that there are times when I have been tempted to get those roles confused.  There are times when my focus has not been in the right place in worship – evaluating one thing or another (including myself), being distracted by one concern or another, thinking that I need to try to make someone else happy (as if I am that actor on the stage), or forgetting that worship is not primarily for my benefit, but that worship is about honoring and glorifying God first and foremost. 

It’s not that I think it’s OK for me to be careless as a pastor.  It is important for me to attempt to be at my best for the Lord and to point others to Him.  And it’s not that I think worship is completely without benefit for believers. Some of the most encouraging and uplifting times that I’ve had in my life have been while participating in corporate worship.  I know that when I am enabled to see God more clearly that helps me to put the rest of my life into better perspective.  That’s true for everyone – and when it happens it’s a great blessing.  However, “my benefit” is not the primary purpose of worship.  As so many others have said, “it’s not about me.” 

When it comes to worship styles, music tastes, and orders of service in a corporate gathering, it is a natural tendency to sanctify our comfort zones.  Not that we want to be critical necessarily of other worship styles or practices, it’s just that our personal preferences in worship somehow tend to seem a little more holy.  We might be tempted to wonder, “How can someone worship with THAT kind of music?”  When I’m focused entirely on myself and my own preferences in a corporate gathering for worship, I’m the one who misses out.

Selfishness is a great hindrance to real worship.

Why did we make that decision nearly 20 years ago to allow drums (and other instruments) in worship services at Rose Drive Friends Church when they used to be considered tools of that dreaded “rock” music by some?  Why do we currently have three styles of worship services at Rose Drive (each of which uses drums, by the way)?  Because we have recognized that there are a variety of preferences and tastes when it comes to music especially… and that what appeals to one person as a form of worship doesn’t necessarily appeal to another.  We want to continue to make decisions that glorify God, reach people for Christ in our community and help them to grow in their faith.  We want to be a bridge building church.  As best we can, we want to major on the majors and minor on the minors.

I’m still learning that worship is not a spectator sport – it’s a participatory experience.  God wants us to worship Him.  May God help us learn to put Him first, to “worship the Lord our God and serve Him only,” to put First things First!

Tangled Puppet, Follower, or Poser? Getting the Big Rocks in First.

My favorite line after last weekend's worship service: "It's getting so you can't sleep in church anymore." 

That comment was made by an older attender at Rose Drive (with a smile and twinkle in his eye) as he left the Sanctuary.  I'm sure that at least a part of his reaction was in relation to the drama presentation. Check it out:

I also told the classic rock story (reprinted at right) and shared my own slightly different version of that illustration (with thanks to Stephen Covey for some inspiration).  "If you want to fit the big rocks into your life, you need to make sure to get them in first.  If you don't get the big rocks in first, you might not get them in at all!"  Take a look:

The First of First Things First

It feels ironic. 

My question as I sit in front of my computer screen is: “What is the first thing I should write about when blogging about first things first?”  Hm-m.

I’ve had a fair amount of ideas about the blog in general, some given to me by others: be yourself, be brief, be meaningful, be insightful, be funny, be relevant to younger audiences, don’t alienate older audiences... you get the concept.  It feels a little overwhelming.  One of my children looked at a draft of the blog site and said it looked predictably churchy.  Oh, well.  I guess that is a part of me, too.

I suppose a good place to start is to answer a question that both of you (my mom and whoever else is looking at this) are wondering.

Why write a blog?

Good question.  Not simply because everyone else is doing it (the statistics are crazy – something like 175,000 new blogs being created every day).  I’m writing this because it gives me an opportunity to share with you in a little more personal (or at least, different) way some of the things that are on my heart in relation to some important First Things First topics... and for another reason that feels equally important to me: it may give you an opportunity to have a voice, to respond, to express your own thoughts and opinions.  I guarantee you that I will read anything that you may write (whether or not I am able to respond back).

What is First Things First?

Another good question.  This is the name we have given to a church-wide spiritual growth emphasis at Rose Drive Friends Church during January and February.  The aim is to help all of us become more faithful followers of Jesus Christ and bring us back to the first principles that can help us to grow forward, both as individuals and as a congregation.  I hope this blog will contribute to that process. 

The “classic story” posted on the sidebar is a convicting reminder to me that I can’t get everything done. I have many things that cry out for my time and attention... many activities, concerns and diversions.  I can’t do it all (neither can you).  Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”(Matthew 6:33a, NIV)  What did He mean? 

He’s talking about Lordship. “First” has to do not simply with sequence but about priority and importance.  His “kingdom” is wherever He is King – and He wants to reign in your heart and mine.  When I was little I first heard someone say that Jesus not only wants to be resident (in you), He wants to be president. 

The topics over the next several weeks will focus on our five primary purposes or values... the “5 big rocks” that we need to make sure we put in first in our lives if we are going to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ: Worship, Connect, Grow, Serve and Share.

 

Please pray with me that God will use First Things First to encourage us where we need to be encouraged and stretch us where we need to be stretched. I’m praying that we will not be the same at the end of February as we are today!