10 Ways Coming (back) to Church Should Make You Feel Like You Are Coming Home
I thought the following article was good food for thought for us this month:
Last week I had a meeting with an incredible group of church leaders. As part of our initial time together, I like to ask each of those in attendance: “What brings you back to your Church week after week. After all, in America, there is no shortage of Churches to attend. Often, there is one on every corner. So I am particularly interested in what is it about this particular Church that so connects you to the heart of God?”
As we went around the room and I heard each person’s individual story, one response stopped me dead in my tracks. It was unlike any answer I had ever heard. The gentleman looked right at me and very calmly but with extreme certainty said the following words, “You travel a lot. Do you know how you feel when you arrive back at home? That’s how I feel when I come to this Church.”
His words pierced my heart and have stuck with me all week.
Going to church should feel like coming home.
As I gave it some thought, I realized there are 10 Ways Coming to Church Should Make You Feel Like You Are Coming Home:
- My family, which I love, is at home. I should have a Church family I love as well.
- People are happy to see me when I come home. They welcome me home. People should be happy to see me at Church. It should be as though they are welcoming me home.
- I am loved unconditionally when I come home. I should be loved unconditionally when I come to Church.
- I am treated with kindness when I come home. I should be treated with kindness when I come to Church.
- I know my role and where I fit at home. I should know my role and where I fit at my Church.
- I can rest and relax at home. I should be able to rest and relax at Church.
- I laugh and have fun when I come home. I should be able to laugh and have fun when I come to Church.
- I can sleep in my own bed at home. I am comfortable. I should be comfortable when I come to Church… (I’m not so sure about the sleeping part J).
- I feel safe and secure at home. I should feel safe and secure when I come to Church.
- I matter at home. My life should matter when I come to Church as well.
How do you feel when you arrive at Church? Is it anything like I just described? Do you strive to help others feel this way when they come to your Church?
(excerpted from an article by Brian Dodd@ churchleaders.com, tweaked just a bit)
Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
1 Peter 2:17: “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”