Confession: There are times when I am frustrated with my church.
- To the point of not wanting to go.
- To the point of wanting to give up on organized church.
- To the point where I think the action of attending church may actually be hindering my ability to live out the Gospel in my life.
- To the point of wanting to withhold myself, my money, my children, my thoughts, and even my prayers.
This causes me to search myself, my motivations for the action of going to a church, and even what Scripture does or does not say about what goes on at church.
Lately, at the bottom of that barrel I am left with this thought:
Going to church is about giving and receiving simultaneously like the heart pumping blood in both directions. When I’m dissatisfied I am either unwilling to give of myself or I’m unwilling to receive ministry created for me (as part of the congregation). Conversely, I will be most satisfied with the corporate worship experience when I go with my heart pumping a desire to both give an receive.
In other words, I think too much and I must be more simplistic in this exchange with the church. I need to discipline myself to give what I can (in its various forms, not exclusive to money) and receive what I can. (in its various forms, not exclusive to teaching)
It’s a two-fold relationship. When I go more needy to receive I don’t go with a heart to give of myself. When I go needy to give of myself I don’t go with a heart to receive.
Questions for Reflection
I’m not accusing anyone of ever being dissatisfied with their church. I’m only confessing that sometimes I am. But if you find yourself discontent, here are some questions for reflection that have helped me.
- What is the thing that drives you nuts, that has become a block between you “truly coming to worship God?“
- What category would you place that thing in? Personal preference? Desire for excellence? Biblical accuracy? Effectiveness? Something else?
- Is that really a big deal or do you just have an attitude problem?
- Could you chose contentedness with that issue if it never changes?
- Where areas are you contributing to your church?
- If a leader thinks about you, would they label you as someone who contributes significantly to the vision and mission of the church? (Not just money, but your actions and heart for the congregation.)
- Are you comparing what you want with what you’ve seen at another church? Is that a fair comparison?
- Is the root of your dissatisfaction a personal sin issue that is manifesting itself as dissatisfaction with something at church?
- Are you seeking out relationships with people in your congregation or are you waiting for those relationships to pursue you?
- Are you just being a jerk?
This is what I know
I know that Jesus expects us to live inter-dependently with a community of other believers. As I read the New Testament I never read about the early church being a place of comfort, cushy chairs, mono-cultural, or without tension. Instead, I see a church which gave of itself fully, which recognized that some people were mature while others were immature, was as functional and dysfunctional as a family, and was all about giving and receiving fully of themselves.
