A Need to Belong

I recently signed up to be a sales representative for a popular makeup company. I paid the registration fee and was given a truck-load of brochures to begin my campaign. My confidence has soared as I have collected sales and pondered on the extra income that is sure to come in. There is only one problem. My online account has not been activated. For some unknown reason, we have been unable to get me signed into the database. Without this critical aspect, I am a representative without a place do a business. My restlessness grows because I feel largely incomplete. Without a direct line to the corporation and an account with my name on it, all the sales I have accumulated will not matter and my time spent will have been useless. Have you ever felt that incomplete sense of needing to belong?

Someone once asked me, “Why do I need to go to church if I already believe in God? Why does anyone need church?” I have noticed that having a church is a lot like having a central database. I can wear a cross around my neck and do all the things that good Christians do. I can read my Bible for hours and quote scripture perfectly by chapter and verse. (I haven’t actually gotten this far yet, but I’m trying!) Yet, without a home base, a place to gather and be accounted for, I am nothing more than a representative without a place to do business. Much like selling the merchandise in my catalogs, going to church makes me feel useful. I have a job to do. I am productive and people are in need of my services. My fellow brothers and sisters are so valuable to me! They give me purpose, incentive to keep doing what I am good at, and encouragement when I feel insignificant. I have also noticed that in the process of getting out and selling my wares I am more focused on those around me. Suddenly I am more interested in the needs of others and am looking for ways to add a little something more to their life. A central meeting place is vital to my well being. Not only am I using the gifts that God gave me, I am fulfilling a command straight out of scripture.

When Paul was speaking to the Hebrews, this issue must have been pressing, even back then. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Meeting together on a regular basis is good for our souls. As a corporate body, we are bound to each other like a marriage. We can lift each other up, spur on another on toward greatness, and hold each other up when we don’t have the strength to stand on our own. For many of us, our church may be the only real family we’ll ever have. Broken homes seem to be more the rule rather than the exception in today’s society. Fifty years ago, it was unheard of take a relative to court. Today it happens all the time. People are unscrupulous in their dealings and seem to have no regard for morals, even within their own families. The one thing I have noticed about being rooted in a church is that it is a place that is safe, free from judgment and ridicule, and very, very forgiving.

Of course like any family, the church is not without its share of freaks and weirdos. Dishonesty is no respecter of race, religion, size, shape, or building. Like visiting the girlfriend’s relatives for the first time, one may wonder what kind of whacked out, nutcase mess they’ve stumbled upon. The plain truth is that sometimes we all have to sort through a few rotten apples before we find the good, tasty fruit hidden beneath. It may take a while but the right family is out there.

So what are some things to look for if you are seeking to find a good church? According to a Dr. Richard Krejcir, there are twelve key characteristics of a healthy church. Here are just a few of them. First and foremost, you need to find a church that preaches the full Gospel of Christ. Watered down or compromised will not cut it. A good church preaches the truth, plain and simple. If you happen to be unsure of whether they are preaching sound doctrine or not, bring your Bible. If they are reading straight from the text and the preacher’s words line up with the scripture read, all is well. Another thing to look for is powerful, impacting worship. Worship does not have to be an elaborate setup. As long as it comes from the heart and stirs the spirit within, it qualifies. The word that comes to my mind is passion. If the worship team or the music itself is full of passion, that is a good sign.

Speaking of passion, a church that is passionate for Jesus is another characteristic of health and wholeness. Look for a place that genuinely loves the Lord and spreads that love to its members, its visitors, and to its Creator. Love, joy, peace, and all the rest of the fruits of the Spirit must be present in order to signify a healthy church. Prayer and discipleship are also important. The old cliché still rings true. A church that prays together stays together. A healthy prayer life, a thriving discipleship program, and good, strong leadership are all signs of a healthy and vibrant church. To read the complete article by Dr. Krejcir, click here.

Looking for a church home can be a daunting task, especially if one has been severely wounded in the past. The idea of setting foot inside a place that may or may not welcome you or accept you can be unnerving to say the least. The thing to remember is that God loved you first. If you are honestly seeking after Him, He will reward you for your efforts. He will guide you to the place that is right for you. Never give up in your searching, always believe that He has your best interests at heart, and know that His love covers over a multitude of sins. He is waiting to receive you. Are you ready for Him?

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The Hidden Truth

Last Friday I had the great pleasure of attending a benefit dinner in recognition of some very special people. Bay Area Chaplains hosted a gathering of former prison inmates and the volunteers who give up their time to visit them while incarcerated. It was a beautiful testimony of what God can do with an open heart and a willing vessel. The sad news is that I forgot my notebook. Therefore I am unable to give you specific details, such as the correct numbers of volunteers and inmates represented. I can, however share with you what I remember and hopefully pass on one or two valuable lessons.

Every week thousands of volunteers infiltrate bay area prisons, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. My husband was one of those honored for his efforts. It was staggering to see the numbers of men and women whose lives had been changed for the better. So often we hear ugly stories about former inmates committing gruesome crimes while out on parole. The truth that rarely gets told is that good things are happening inside many of our nation’s prison walls. Incarcerated men and women are hearing the Gospel message, accepting it, and applying it to their own lives. Every two weeks my husband comes home and shares stories about men who have accepted Christ in their jail cell. This simple act of submission changes the entire atmosphere in the prison. Guards are seeing the changes in these men and their lives are changed, affecting their families and everyone around them on the outside. The truth that rarely gets told is that incarcerated men and women are serving the Lord while simultaneously serving their jail sentence.

Of the 20 or so inmates represented at this dinner, three of them had testified that they had gone through seminary and were pastoring their own churches. Every single individual acknowledged that they were actively serving God and going to church on a regular basis. One woman stood and shared how she had received her GED and regained custody of her three children, despite the court’s ruling of a life sentence in prison. She is currently holding a steady job and raising her children to love and fear the Lord. One individual was asked, “How many lives do you think you changed since you’ve been set free?” Without missing a beat he answered. 2,000 lives had been touched since he had walked out of his jail cell. The message resonated with everyone. One choice truly has the power to affect thousands upon thousands upon thousands of other lives.

I learned two very important life lessons as I sat at my table listening to these men and women. As Christians, we have an obligation to preach the Good News at every opportunity. People in prisons and hospitals are just as hungry to hear the Gospel as anyone else. They need to be told that they have a purpose and that God does indeed have a plan for their lives. They need to know that they are not forgotten and that God loves them regardless of what they’ve done. Once they know this and have it rooted deep in their spirits, miracles happen and the Lamb’s Book of Life grows ever larger.

The other thing I learned was that it’s so important to make the most of every opportunity. Our days are numbered here. Nobody knows how much time we have left until Christ’s return so we really do need to be about our Father’s business. Colossians 3:5 commands that we walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. We need to remember those who are incarcerated, pray for them, and pray for the volunteers who sacrifice their time to go to them on a regular basis. We need to remember the guards who are being changed simply by witnessing the transformation among the inmates. I have stored all these things in my heart and will be prepared to pray for my husband the next time he goes to visit his inmates. I will also remember to be prepared next time an opportunity like this comes along to learn something about the world around me. I will remember to bring my notebook.

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