There is no point in going to church
I must ask myself every day "Why are you starting a new church?" and then remind myself of why I feel called by God to do this amazing (albeit difficult) work.
For many people, too many people, church has become irrelevant. People cringe when someone even says the word "church". They gawk at what comes out of minister's mouths. They yawn during services. They hate pews. And they definitely can't seem to find a darn good reason to slap a few dollars down into that offering plate.
THESE are a problem indeed.
In this country, the great United States of America, churches were once vibrant, growing, stable places where people flocked to experience that thing we call grace (AKA God's love). Communities longed for a steeple on a street corner because the community knew that if a church was what went up, then good things would always come out of it. But over the last 50 years or so, we the church, have managed to become set in our ways and ignore the changes taking place in the world around us. Not every church has done so, but enough to write home about.
So why then should one go to church? What is in it for YOU, right?????
Try this: A happier marriage/relationship. A more content soul. (if you don't know what your soul is, you need to loosen the tie, leave the office, and do something FUN). Amazing friendships. Trust. A network of people. Folks who will care about you. A pastor who loves you for being you. A group of people helping you when you need it. A group of people bringing you baked ziti when your baby is born and you are too tired to even think about cooking. A smile every Sunday evening. A group of cheerful people. A pastor challenging you to grow, to forgive, to love even better. A reason to keep going. A way of life that won't leave you feeling empty. A way to make a difference through service work. A connection.
I grew up in a church that changed my life. Sure, my mom "made" me go to church for a few years, but by high school I actually wanted to go. I wanted to go because when I walked into that building on a Sunday morning, people actually took the time to listen, to care, to laugh with one another, to express empathy, to just sit, to just listen, to just BE. Where else do we experience that in today's rushed world? True, meaningful community.
Our lives are full of chaos. Church calls us to come out from under the chaos that weighs us down, tightens our shoulders, and cramps our style. It calls us to slow down a bit, listen to God, and maybe...just maybe...even become an admirer of that really cool guy who hung out with the people who had leprosy and the evil tax collectors and the Samaritan woman at the well. That Jesus guy really was a cool dude if only more of us would give him a chance.
So why go to church? You'll just have to come and see. You'll come up with your own reason, but I know at Grace Adventure we truly want you there. We don't care where you are at on your faith journey. Heck, the pastor figures she is at the beginning of hers. We don't care if you know nothing, nadda, zip, zero about the Bible. A lot of Grace Adventurians don't...we learn as we go. We don't care if you come with flip flops on and its 20 degrees out. We might send you home with a pair of boots, but we won't judge. We promise.
So...come as you are. Yes you. Just come. And then I hope someday you'll see why church, that old fashioned thing your grandparents used to go to, actually can be an amazing and incredibly meaningful addition to your life. God's peace to you.
Shalom,
Pastor Annette
For many people, too many people, church has become irrelevant. People cringe when someone even says the word "church". They gawk at what comes out of minister's mouths. They yawn during services. They hate pews. And they definitely can't seem to find a darn good reason to slap a few dollars down into that offering plate.
THESE are a problem indeed.
In this country, the great United States of America, churches were once vibrant, growing, stable places where people flocked to experience that thing we call grace (AKA God's love). Communities longed for a steeple on a street corner because the community knew that if a church was what went up, then good things would always come out of it. But over the last 50 years or so, we the church, have managed to become set in our ways and ignore the changes taking place in the world around us. Not every church has done so, but enough to write home about.
So why then should one go to church? What is in it for YOU, right?????
Try this: A happier marriage/relationship. A more content soul. (if you don't know what your soul is, you need to loosen the tie, leave the office, and do something FUN). Amazing friendships. Trust. A network of people. Folks who will care about you. A pastor who loves you for being you. A group of people helping you when you need it. A group of people bringing you baked ziti when your baby is born and you are too tired to even think about cooking. A smile every Sunday evening. A group of cheerful people. A pastor challenging you to grow, to forgive, to love even better. A reason to keep going. A way of life that won't leave you feeling empty. A way to make a difference through service work. A connection.
I grew up in a church that changed my life. Sure, my mom "made" me go to church for a few years, but by high school I actually wanted to go. I wanted to go because when I walked into that building on a Sunday morning, people actually took the time to listen, to care, to laugh with one another, to express empathy, to just sit, to just listen, to just BE. Where else do we experience that in today's rushed world? True, meaningful community.
Our lives are full of chaos. Church calls us to come out from under the chaos that weighs us down, tightens our shoulders, and cramps our style. It calls us to slow down a bit, listen to God, and maybe...just maybe...even become an admirer of that really cool guy who hung out with the people who had leprosy and the evil tax collectors and the Samaritan woman at the well. That Jesus guy really was a cool dude if only more of us would give him a chance.
So why go to church? You'll just have to come and see. You'll come up with your own reason, but I know at Grace Adventure we truly want you there. We don't care where you are at on your faith journey. Heck, the pastor figures she is at the beginning of hers. We don't care if you know nothing, nadda, zip, zero about the Bible. A lot of Grace Adventurians don't...we learn as we go. We don't care if you come with flip flops on and its 20 degrees out. We might send you home with a pair of boots, but we won't judge. We promise.
So...come as you are. Yes you. Just come. And then I hope someday you'll see why church, that old fashioned thing your grandparents used to go to, actually can be an amazing and incredibly meaningful addition to your life. God's peace to you.
Shalom,
Pastor Annette
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