Another way to ask this question is, “What’s in it for me?”
As long as we are asking questions, let me ask a few more.
–Do you like to work out? Why go to the gym?
-Do you want to improve your golf game? Where should you go?
-Where do you go to further your education?
-What do you do if a friend needs your help?
If your experience with church has been a process of showing up, knowing when to stand or sit, being asked for your money and getting yelled at for being on the road to hell, then you probably have not been to church. You’ve been to a building that is called a church but you have not been to church. Now, don’t get me wrong there are many of us that need to know we are headed for hell if we don’t shape up, but if that’s all you’re hearing then you are not hearing the right things. Church is a place for healing, fellowship, encouragement and learning. A friend of mine used to say that a church is a hospital for sinful people. A place where we are healed by the only sinless person in the church, Jesus Christ.
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20
A fellowship of people who believe that Jesus is the savior they need and are willing to receive and give help when and where and to all when needed.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42
You might be thinking, “I’m a piece of work that needs lots of help, I’ll get it together before I ask God or anyone else for help.”
Well, you won’t improve your fitness without going to the gym, nor your golf game without golfing, or learn calculus just by wishing. Fellowship with like-minded people is what we all need to help us get to the next level.
And that friend of yours that needs your help won’t get it unless you GO help them. Likewise, there may be someone at that church who needs your advice and fellowship to turn their life around.
So, how do you find a church? Well, you’ll need to start by praying and looking. Here’s a few pointers on what to look for.
-They should believe in Jesus Christ and strive to live for Him as their number one mission
-God’s word, the Bible, should be taught and studied
-You, should be in prayer and wanting to be in fellowship with God and those who love Him.
What’s in it for you? God knows. I think you’ll be amazed.