"Church" part 2

If you missed Part 1 here you go "Church" Part 1

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. -Hebrews 10:23-25 (NASB)

Theses verses are the only reason I felt bad for over a year every Sunday morning we did not go to church....but if you read them all together, if you actually take the time to figure out what they mean, they don't say, "go to church every Sunday (or Saturday)." they say to try to "stimulate one another to love and good deeds," to encourage one another.

Church is not about "me," it is about "you" it's not for me, it is not so I can be spiritually fed once a week. Church is about loving other believers, encouraging other believers, challenging other believers (and yourself) to do good deeds. It is not about how much money the "church" needs for their building program or their youth program. It's not about the "church" budget, it is about love, good deeds and encouragement. It's about fellowship with other believers to encourage them. We in America have tried to make it about "me," but it's not intended to be that, so it breaks down when it is that.

This is what prompted Hubbin and I to read the book "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore" by Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman. You can visit the website for the book here. Reading this beautifully written book was what finally pushed me over the edge into guilt-free church-free Sunday mornings. But, only because we had Christian fellowship, where we could encourage other believers (and be encouraged by them, although that was not the reason we spent time with them), elsewhere.

I guess, in a nutshell, that is what church is to us...fellowship with other believers where we are able to encourage, and love on one another.

Feel free to agree or disagree, and if you have found that in the traditional American "church" setting, that is awesome! If you haven't, I encourage you too find other believers to spend purposeful time with.

Until next time,
RaVae