sunday

I had a thought today that made me think twice about the way people view church. At the beginning of the new year, every church seems to have that vision casting sermon. The one where they say "these are the great things we are planning to do this year" "this is how we are going to get there" and those sorts of things. While I think there is validity to vision casting, I really struggle with certain aspects of how the congregation gets involved in that process. I was looking around today while listening to our pastor and I realized that many of the people have an attitude toward church like they are watching a play. As a congregation we are moved by the service, for some, through worship, for others through the sermon. Some Sundays we laugh, Some sundays we cry, some Sundays there is both, and some Sundays there is neither. As a whole, most people bring nothing but themselves to church no Bible, no notebook, just themselves. While I don't think there is anything wrong with that per se... I think that we come to be entertained and to feel something like we would go to a play. There is music, and words of wisdom and a lesson to be learned, a story to be told, but we leave there feeling inspired or moving right on to the next thing on our to-do list. This concerns me. I feel as though church should be a place where we go to learn. As a college student, I see very clearly that in order to get the most out of class you should come with a clear mind, on time, prepared and ready to take notes. I am the first to admit, I am almost NEVER on time to church. I am about 99% sure that every sunday morning we loose about three hours of sleep because I just cannot wake up! Judging by the people who trail into service up until about half way through the sermon, I can imagine that this is true for a lot of people. But I think that since there is no "attendance sheet" or "homework" people come to church to be entertained and shed a tear, it is something we do to feel good because it's what we should do. I feel so convicted in the idea that when we start treating church like a class instead of a play, we will begin to see a shift in Christianity as we know it. If everyone came to church on time with a clear mind, with their "homework" done and their Bible and notebook in hand I think going to church would take on a new meaning to many of us. 

My vision-casting for myself this year is to treat church with way more importance and preparation than  I treat my college classes. I am so disappointed in myself for not making the connection before now because for as much attention as I pay to my classes for my career, I should be able to make time for my reason to be alive. I am so incredibly thankful for a God who extends grace to me and loves me despite my selfish nature. What a privilege it is to live in a place where I can go to church every week without fear. I hope that this conviction that God has put on my heart will transform the way I value my ability to learn from people who he has appointed to be leaders and the way I prioritize my time with him both in and outside of church.