Some time ago, Jim Lehmer, at Lord I Believe, Help My Unbelief posed the following question:
“If you attend a church (traditional, house church, pub church, whatever), name three things you genuinely like about it. If you don’t have a place you call “church” right now then name three things that if you see them in a gathering will tell you that you’ve finally found what you’re looking for.”
I wrote my original response in 2008. I was surprised when I read my answers from 16 years ago that my response today would be the same. I genuinely like these things about the church I currently attend. We have moved four times in the intervening years and attended different churches, yet my three core things have remained the same.
1. People have a heart for God
This has nothing to do with a person’s theological perspective but rather an attitude that recognizes life is about God and His kingdom. It shows itself when people put God’s preferences before their own.
2. People have a heart for worship which shows itself through singing worshipful songs
It doesn’t particularly matter how well they sing or what they sing, though generally, these people like to sing newer songs, probably because one of the ways God speaks to his church is by bringing it new songs.
3. People have a heart for the lost
These people will commit to praying for those who don’t have a relationship with God and will seek ways to build relationships with them.
Some people at my church fulfil all these ideals and others fulfil none, but that’s okay, because I’ve found enough like-minded people.
Susan,
Thanks for participating. Sounds like a great church.
“Others are in none and that’s ok too.”
Yes it is, because we’re all on the same path, but in different spots along the way.
I like your #1 – that having a heart for God has nothing to do with theology.
Thanks Susan.
That’s what I like about you too, Susan. The unifying points are where God commands his blessing. Most true believers would be reassured of this. I would also desire that the Holy Spirit would be constantly sought and welcomed, that the laying on of hands would be a weekly possibility for those in need of healing, that there would be an openess to the Spirit and opportunity to bring “a psalm a hymn a spiritual song” as directed by Paul the apostle.. Making room for the body of Christ to be free to contribute in this manner, perhaps in a slot after the worship and before the sermon would beautifully allow biblical agreement and edification when done in the fear of the Lord and in prayerful sensitivity. My concern is that if people try to control things that the Holy Spirit is quenched and so is people’s enthusiasm.
Thanks Jane for dropping by. Good to hear your thoughts.