Sunday, April 17, 2011

How to tell which church is right.

Romans 14

The Weak and the Strong
 1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.
When my wife and I first married we attended the church where she and her whole family did. It was smaller in size, about 30 souls every week. The small town she was from had a population of about 400 and somewhere near 8 churches in the area. Your average small Oklahoma town.

The church is still there, same pastor is over it, and nearly the same people attend minus us and the rest of my wife's family. We left there as a young family looking for a "church" that had more "stuff" for kids and families.

But was that church wrong for not supporting the younger generation? Or was that just a perception?

So we found (as noted in a previous blog) a church that did a lot for kids. My wife and I had become the children's minsters there. However over time, though this church had a variety of programs for all ages and the community, it seemed to lack something. But again that church is still there same pastor, same people. We went back and visited this church just last week. Some new faces a lot of love for old friends. Still the same feeling for my wife and I, was there.

So was this church wrong for making us feel the way we do? Or how about the 40 plus churches, the great Google, puts in our town which one is right? It would seem many can't get along or they compete with each other. As many of you have read in my facebook posts, I verbally support and have friends in many churches. So what about the church we go to now; Lifechurch, is it right?

Mark 9:38 (New International Version, ©2011)

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
 38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

At some point in all the churches we have attended, they must have been good. Or we wouldn't have stayed there at all, right? What if, since all things work for good for those who love the Lord, what if your church, your body of believers, is apart of that? So your moving closer to Him, would that result in constant change in your life? New opportunities, new friends, and new churches? 

Mark 9:39-41 (New International Version, ©2011)
   39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

So which church is right? (For the record I do not like the term church the way we use it but it's what we have)  I personally believe there is a feeling that you have inside, indescribable, you are growing. Your spirit is being challenged. God has surrounded you with a group of extraordinary people and you know this is Church!!

OH, so is Lifechurch right? No, maybe not for you. But for us, prayerfully, it is. We love our church.(and church means people) Our synagogue is located at 1917 N. Country Club. a small sect of Christ Followers meet there throughout  the week.

Proverbs 16:9 (New International Version, ©2011)

 9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
   but the LORD establishes their steps.

Love, once again- David 

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