Why I Love Church








In the past year, I have learned many things.  About church.  About people. About myself.

The most mind-blowing conversation I had about church, and why I go, was with someone who doesn't go to church.

Not that anything we discussed was particularly profound.

Not that I witnessed to her in a way that brought her to her knees in repentance and lead her to the Lord (although that would've been great.)

No - we talked about our kids.  About life as moms.

We shared about our roles as a small business owner and as a pastor's wife of a small town church.

And our conversation ended with this question:

"How do you bring people in? 


That was the mind-blowing part.

See?  Not earth-shattering.

But I've been thinking about it ever since.


I've gone to church my entire life.  Went to church camp when I was less than a year old, and every year after until my teen years.  My dad has either been a youth pastor or the head pastor pretty much forever.  My grandfather and my dad were church planters.  It's in my genes.

Church isn't something you just do on Sunday - although we were there every Sunday regardless of floods, snowstorms, freezing February mornings, scorching summer days...you get the picture.  We were the first people there to turn on the heat and the lights, and we were the last people there gathering communion cups and washing up the dishes.

I guess some people would grow to resent being "forced" to "work" at the church, but I have always liked it.

Why, no matter where I am, do I love my church?
Why do I keep going?

I have never thought about the option of just not going.  Not gonna happen (unless we're outrageously, contagiously sick).

Why?  Because.

Because I love my church - it is my family.  When I moved away from Ohio to live with my new husband in Pennsylvania, it was really hard.  Family was far away.  Friends were nonexistent (except via e-mail.  No Facebook back then).  So when we found a church, I was thrilled.  We had to find one that "fit," but once we did, things started happening.  I joined the praise band and my hubby joined the youth group.  We started making friends and connections.  Church is family.

Because I love Jesus!!!  It may sound cliche, but it's the truth.  I love Jesus.  I love that he was born a man, lived life here with us folks, and died on our behalf to pay for our sins.  I love that he came back, talked to us people, told us the way to receive his forgiveness and salvation - then he said we get to go live with him in heaven when we die because that was his plan all along.  I love Jesus!!!

And I love to share about his Great Plan (see above), and his work in my life as a testimony that He is real, He is working in my life, and he can work in the lives of all of us folks.  He's great like that.

Because it gives me a chance to grow and stretch as a Christian and as a person.  Since joining our current church, I've really tried a lot of new things.  I'm teaching Sunday school, decorating hallways, picking out curriculum, singing in the praise band, helping plan the Christmas party, and serving in the nursery.

I tell ya what - I only did one of those things at my previous church, so I had no idea I might be good at the other things.  I never never ever wanted to sing in front of anyone.  Ever.  Even in a choir.  I was fine with singing in the shower, thank you.  But one of our members wanted to start a praise band.  I love praise and worship music, and I wanted to see it happen at our church.  And secretly, I can't stand organ music, so the idea of an alternative was extremely appealing to me.  So I tried it.  I didn't know if I'd sound like a croaking frog and they'd kick me out, but they kept me.  They like me.  And now we're becoming a little family that texts prayer requests to each other during the week and encourages each other.

 That's why I love my church.  Because my church is made up of people who know Jesus, love Jesus and know Jesus loves them.  My church is made up of people who serve Jesus and encourage others because Jesus loved them first.  A family I never knew I had, and now can't live without.

So...what was that question?  "How do you bring people in?"

Well...I guess the best answer her is by loving them.  By encouraging them.  By welcoming them in as part of a family.

A church is not just a building to go to on Sunday mornings.  It is people.  We are a family who cares about each other.  We help each other stretch and grow, try new things, and become the person God designed us to be.  

 I think that's pretty awesome, and I want others to be a part of the fun, forgiveness, acceptance, and discovery.  Part of the family.

That's why I love my church.  

That's why I want more people to walk through those doors.

I don't want them to miss out on what I have.




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