Don't date the church, be married to it!

We live in a unique time here int he United States of America, times where church commitment is falling rapidly generation by generation. we are so involved in everything else that church is just a mere afterthought. My question to you today is, "Are you married to the church or are you just merely dating?"

Dating the church can be played in a few different ways. First, a person who dates the church is always switching from one church to another, never satisfied with any particular church. Do you know anybody who the last few years has been members at a few churches? they are treating that relationship with the church as a dating relationship. Another type of person who is dating the church might come to the church when they "need" something. They are members who usually don't come, but now that they are going through a difficult time it's time to start coming back to church.

My challenge to everyone is to be married to a local church. Do not just treat your church involvement like a dating realationship. As God's chose people, we are called the bride of Christ (Revelation 12:9-10). The Church need your commitment and you need the commitment of the church. Find a church that loves on you and is committed to your growth in godliness and God will show you the importance of the local church.

Let me leave you with what Joshua Harris says in his book Stop Dating the Church (page 31): "The greatest motivation we could ever find for being passionately committed to the Church is that Jesus is passionately committed to the Church."

May God bless you this week as you are committed to Him and His Church. I'm looking forward to preaching on this subject at Mount Pleasant on Sunday, May 6th.


Pastor Joe