Reflections from Sunday

Good morning everyone!

I have been reading, praying, and pondering (or to make it really spiritual I guess I should say meditating :) ) regarding the lack of motivation in our churches today and the shortage of visitors joining us for worship services.  What I have been challenged to consider/correct personally, and that which I have challenged my congregation to consider/correct, is the idea of having a passionate and intimate relationship with Christ.  A book that I have been reading recently, “Igniting Passion in Your Church”, (disclaimer:  I do not accept/condone everything contained in this book, but have read with thoughtful comparison to scripture/biblical principles in mind and where there was a difference the Bible always was/is the correct standard) compared the stages of an earthly marital relationship to our relationship with Christ, as does Ephesians 5 and other passages.  The catalyst for thought is this question: “Does my life/church make others want to have a relationship with Christ?”.  If it doesn’t, maybe instead of telling others, even Christ, what church is we should be asking Christ to show us what church is so that others will want to “flirt (be interested), date (faith takes a step forward), get engaged (make a commitment), and eventually marry (faith that conquers – celebration)” Christ.

Consider whether you are passionate about your faith.  Do others want what you have, or do they see a depressed, complaining, stick in the mud (self-righteous), or pessimistic person?  If you are exhibiting the latter adjectives/emotions, then why do you think someone will accept your invitation to be in that same relationship with you?  They’ve already got that without the accountability/responsibility that they fear.  It’s time that we Christians, the Church, the Bride of Christ, get passionate about our personal relationship with Him.  Time that we wholeheartedly accept that we are His, transfer ownership to Christ, and ask Him what church is and what He wants us to do instead of carrying out our business meetings based on what WE like or want or think we need.  Christ has been locked out of the church far too long!