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What Must NEVER Be Missing In Church?

Life without risks is missing something vital. Think for just a second about the things that wouldn’t exist without risks:

  • cars
  • skateboards
  • games
  • airplanes
  • automobiles
  • electricity
  • fried calamari

Someone had to be brave enough to eat the first squid.

But what about more serious things like dating, marriage, love? They all require risks. A fulfilling life, is linked together by moments that are made up of risks. A fulfilling (or abundant) life is dangerous, but it’s worth it.

Now think about this for just a minute: church without risks is also missing something vital. Think about the things in church that wouldn’t exist without risks:

  • sound systems
  • buildings
  • videos
  • websites
  • the Reformation
  • the Bible in our own language

When we think about it, a fulfilling church is also made up of the risks that people have taken through the years. Fulfilling church like a fulfilling life: it is dangerous…but it’s sooooo worth it.

It’s not enough for us to just sit back and enjoy the comforts the church has to offer. Because, in reality, a lot of those comforts can ultimately cause bedsores. When we get too comfortable we easily slip into a mode where we are focussed on ourselves, our wants, our desires and our preferences. Pastors and congregants alike fall prey to this syndrome. The only way to combat these bed sores is to constantly remember that the church doesn’t exist for us, it exists for the mission of Christ: making disciples of everyone…EVERYONE.

We must have the faith to step out, stretch our bones, standup, and make a difference in the world by taking risks. It’s the only way to fulfill our mission. I love what Rick Warren once said: “If you are not taking risks in your ministry, your ministry requires no faith. If your ministry requires no faith, you’re being unfaithful.

The bottom line is this: there is too much at stake for us not to experience real fulfilling, abundant church. We do this not by filling our seats but by fueling our risk-taking-boldness. We must take the risks that will pay off for Jesus’ sake. Let us never forget the Bible says:

So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show it self by it’s good deeds is no faith at all – it is dead and useless. ~James 2:17 (NLT)

May we, the church of Jesus Christ, sacrifice comfort (and eventual bed sores) for faith risks and true joy. Take risks and experience the fulfilling life that he has for you!