How to Win at Church (but for real this time)

Well, church goer, my last post was scathingly sarcastic, and perhaps not great Sunday afternoon reading.  If might have made you bristle or scowl.  That's OK.  This post will be a little more positive, though whether it will also be easier to swallow, I don't know.  After all, it isn't written yet.

Just a reminder of two things.

1. I've got "church cred", AWANA to Youth Group.  (Sorry, I couldn't think of a Z). 

2. I love the church, and I want to see her grow.

This isn't just a post for really intensely passionate Jesus-loving people.  This isn't just for Bible thumpers or missionaries or goody two shoeses.  This is for anyone who says they believe Jesus is who He said. 

1. Show up.

To win at church, you kind of have to be there.  This should be self-explanatory.  I don't believe in "I can do Christianity on my own".  I get that church can be a hard place to be sometimes.  Christians don't always act and look like Christ.  They hurt people.  They reject people.  They can be snobs.  They need Jesus just as much as everyone else.  Don't let bad experiences or preconceived ideas keep you out of church.  It's like the gym.  Sometimes it's going to be a lot of work to be there, but it's worth going.

2. Get along. 

Let me tell you right now, church goer.  There will be people at church that you don't like.  They might cheer for LSU instead of Bama.  They might wear teal eye shadow.  They might even be cranky.  Get over it.  This is your family, and there are people in your real family who rub you the wrong way.  That's the beauty of family.  There's no getting out.  You're stuck with them.  You have the same DNA, so you're sort of relationally committed.  Did you think the church would be different? 

3. Do your homework.

Sure, come to church to hear God's Word and be with God's people, but land sakes alive, don't let that be the only time you get a dose of Jesus.  You wouldn't eat Sunday lunch and consider yourself done  for the week in the eating department.  Dive in during the week.  Read through whatever your pastor is teaching on Sundays.  Take notes.  Think about it.  Wrestle with it.  Come ready to study God's Word and have your heart inclined to your Father's. 

4. Get involved.

Yes, show up, but don't let that be the extent of your presence on a Sunday morning.  If church was a Christmas present, it'd say "Some participation required".  Get to know the people on the 5th pew.  Go to the potluck.  Find a life group.  God designed the church to be a living organism of His love, changing the people and the community around it.  Church is not a spectator sport.

5. Give.

Give.  I don't mean cheesy televangelist "if you give $50, you'll be blessed, but if you give $100, you'll be really blessed" rubbish.  Give because you've been given to.  Give generously.  Give cheerfully.  Give time, talent, money.  Take it as an antidote to selfishness.

6. Pray.

Church is hard.  It's hard to preach the Word boldly.  It's hard to counsel broken people.  It's hard to be the Church.  So pray.  Pray for your leadership team, your worship team, your Sunday school teachers, that they would be agents of grace, filled with the Spirit.  Pray for revival. 

That is how you win at church, and also how the church wins.

Go get in the game.

Little Miss Sunshine