This post is a result of really disturbing thoughts that started three Sundays back and have haunted me since then. Found myself in a new environment (due to my NYSC posting), and my first Sunday there at the LGA, I was faced with making a choice on which church to attend. I began by questioning the whole idea behind “church”, especially in this new church era.
I innocently voiced my thought to a friend standing nearby at that moment and before I was done with even stating my plight, she outrightly condemned my line of action stating how so many persons that entertained similar thought have backslid. But not to worry, I am still in my right senses and the purpose of the post is not to make you quit doing church, but maybe correct some misplaced notions ;).
Churches today are not too different from secular organizations or business enterprises, where the primary purpose of its existence has been marred either by personal ambitions of self-called under-shepherds or competition between what is supposed to be the different parts of the same body; which is Christ, or in the name of “church growth” strategy or misrepresentation of the true image of church by the now trending ‘corporate branding’.
Churches today are not too different from secular organizations or business enterprises, where the primary purpose of its existence has been marred by personal ambitions. Share on XEverything today is branding. While battling with my thoughts, another friend who was oblivious of the battle that was raging in my soul, said to me, “Tolu, will you come to my church? So so so church (that is the name of her church) is the happening place in this town, and have you heard that our auditorium is fully air-conditioned?” That invitation and the incentive to take up her offer just affirmed the very confusion on my mind. What should be my reason for wanting to go to church or to a particular church?
As if that was not enough, that very evening I got a call from my mum instructing me that I must be attending a particular church denomination in my new location, an instruction that I couldn’t stop but laugh at.
Why do we go to church? Why do you go to church? Is it just to satisfy a family tradition like my mom’s instruction or to follow the newest trend, like wanting to go to the freshest church joint in town?
I don’t blame countless youths that have given up doing church for whatever their reason is. Definitely, Going to church does not make you a Christian, but if you are truly saved, you will go to church.
God’s plan for the church was a group of believers in Jesus, coming together in the sharing and fellowship for their spiritual and all round upkeep, a perfect picture of this was displayed in the early church in the book of Acts 2:42.
That we have so many fake churches is a proof that there are real ones, so giving up on the whole church is a flimsy excuse of laziness inspired by the folly of the devil, or actually allowing him to rob you of God’s plan for your earthly edification and refreshing.
The Church is the body of Christ, why will you want to be separated from it; do you remember Jesus’ analogy of the Vine and the branches in John 15?
That we have so many fake churches is proof that there are real ones, so giving up on 'church' is a flimsy excuse of laziness. Share on XLet this post help reprogram your heart to the whole church thing for the purpose for which it was made and seek the real thing, regardless of the package with which it comes.
Thank you for reading. I’m really looking forward to seeing your view on this issue as a comment.
Lolz…now I’m laughing. Well, I think that every christian needs to worship with fellow believers regularly. This was the practise of the early church- Acts2-4. They broke bread from house to house…. The writer of Hebrews further urged us not to forsake gatherings together(Heb10:25). I think that captures congregational worship.
As to where to worship, dilemma! One can’t say to worship at a particular place, they’re too much, with different brands and effizzies. However, the PRIMARY essence of the church, if u ask me, is spiritual growth of the comers thereto, hence I would attend a church which places high premium on d Spirit and on d Word. If emphasis is on the word of God, I’ll stay. I said primary earlier, so other things can be benefitted from church too. I bet you know Frank Edwards and Osinachi Kalu(Sinach), they were empowered by a church. Academic meetings may be organised, even business summits, in fact, a Pastor in Lagos has a program he does regularly tagged “FORUM” where christians who’ve made it in all fields come and share experiences. I know of a church planning to have a gym/fitness centre for members, blah blah all these are good but are by the way. I’d be glad if my church(d one I attend) was AC fitted and did all the things mentioned above and maybe even more. But emphasis must, first of all, be placed on Spirit(worship) and Word! Selah…
N.B.: pardon my epistle 😉
You hit the nail on the head!
I’m really tired of all these churches these days that have lost the very essence of Christianity. If I go off on a rant here, I’ll just be writing another post. But I’ll just say this, in the multitude of “lost” churches lies at least one or two Bible believing ones. Find it and stay there. I wandered about myself during my NYSC till I found one. At the end of the day, it’s not a question of obtaining physical comfort in a church but spiritual comfort. So I’ll pick a ‘village’ Worded church without AC over an ‘happening’ fully air conditioned word-less church anytime!
God be with u bro.
Exceptional
The early churches emphasized mainly on sharing, manifestation of the holy spirit and living in accord, on no occasion was there an instance of “the church in Corinth has numerous facilities than the church in thessalonica”, but its so shameful that quite a few number of churches evangelize to people to come and be saved, most people invite people with the mind of the good things they could enjoy, a good example is this air conditioner mentioned above. most churches no longer work in the spirit but take pleasure in ‘competition’, they tend to compete with other churches by focusing on how 2 beautify the church and thereby 4geting their main cause of gathering. As the Bible says “do not lay up 4 urselves treasures on earth,where moth and rust consumes and thieves break in and steal, but lay up 4 urselves treasures in heaven,where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. for where ur treasure is,there ur heart will be (Matt 6:19-21). this verse makes it obvious that the things we have in the place of worship doesn’t matter, what matters is our spiritual life. For this reason, if we treasure things like that, datz where our hearts will be, otherwise we have another option; to focus on the Gospel and work in the spirit. The difference is way too obvious!
You’re right Tolu. Going to a church doesn’t make you a Christian, but it keeps you a Christian. By the way, which of the churches did you choose? (*Winks*)
Thank you Tolu. I think the whole thing is a scheme by the devil to discourage many from attending church.. But like you said, the presence of a fake proves the existence of the real deal. We wouldn’t give up on Church, we cannot afford to. Instead, we would do our best to make it the place it ought to be and our best to thwart the programmes of imposters and money making schemes parading themselves as churches.
Thanks again.
Gud one sir! Once d purpose of Gods church is fulfilled in d church, only den can d oda incentives be enjoyed… believe God called differnt churches to meet different people’s need. was @ church few sundays back for a family friends thanksgiving; just knew cudnt cope in d church if were to be a member but most likely d members dere won’t also cope if dey were in my church. D essence of church gatherings is to build u up and help u stay on track; if its not doing dat for u, u can do well to find anoda church
You’re right tolu but the issue abut AC in churches is wot I don’t really agree wit. Is it a sin to av an air conditioned church?. Aldou my church doesn’t av it but would av really liked it to av one cos more pple are coming to Christ nd the population of the church is fast increasing, so is the ‘Heat’. So many churches av sprang up nd each has a rule or policy, don’t do dis, don’t wear dat nd so on, at times I wonder if d Real Message which is Christ is been taught again. Wit most churches are after now is Wealth nd looks, turning the church into a business centre. Well it has been written dat all dis will happen at d last days. So I think we need to really watch out, pray nd be lead by the holy spirit.
This write-up is truly amazing. Be blessed!
Thank you sir…Amen
Great piece inspired only by the Holy Spirit. This is something that has always been bothering me as well…the issue about churches. But I just want to say that going to a *church* doesn’t make you a Christian, neither does it sustain you as one. Please, remember that we are the church; and what matters most is the gathering of believers (the church), which can equally be a fellowship of two or more believers. I haven’t seen it recorded in the bible anywhere that believers should gather to worship on wednesdays and sundays, as is the norm. Am not saying it is wrong. What am just saying is that one must not belong to or attend a church; what matters most is the fellowship, reason being for the building of our faith. As the bible records, “forsake not the fellowship…”
I feel the same way you do Bro . Sometimes I go to church wanting to be taught the word of God, wanting to be blessed with the word but end up feeling empty at the end because the teacher of the word failed to teach the word, but sounded more like an inspirational speaker in the secular world. Reference might not even be made to the Bible. This might not be an issue for some others, but because I am convinced of what I want and believe that it can only be found in the word, I cannot accept less.
I believe this is one of the reasons corruption and other vices still abound in Nigeria despite the enviable numbers of churches and church goers. The congregation is not aware of the sure standard of God which had not changed, as it has been watered down by the pulpit. So in turn, the followers take their Christian life lightly and act reckless because they know Grace abounds.
God give us teachers of the word. Amen.
Hmmmm well written. I think many have become too familiar with the purpose for Christian gathering and want their hearts at ease not convicted. Myself i understand that God sees my heart so there is no use pretending to God as in ……so we just need to get things straight and understand the purpose of these gatherings .
I am really blessed by you devotion to your write ups… God bless you. But this church issue is not about our opines but about the spirit of God. Romans 8v16. We have to hear what God says if we are to be his servants. We have to go to church not because of numbers, seminars, concerts, shows, ac, whatever. But because of our love for God. This brings me to my point. No church qualifies us for God’s kingdom but we are there as believers to share, fellowship, bring up new converts and serve God. When you come to a church give your all to serve and grow God’s people and when God tells you to leave to whereesle you are needed you thank him and move on. Paul was always moving