This starts a series of posts on the organized church ponderings offered by me a few weeks ago.  As I stated in the What to do? post it should be the goal of each of us to want to change and not sit back and criticize the church.

I am tired…..of watching the same people sit in the same churches week in and week out, with no visible spiritual growth at all. 

My feelings on this subject run deep, and I feel everyone should as well, because we should all be concerned about this issue.  I heard from a close friend that a couple in our church that love to play the “church emotion” game (you know – when I’m happy I’ll come but when I’m mad I will not) are giving God and the church one year to fix their problems.  Yep – they will commit to coming to church on a regular basis for one year to see if their problems can be fixed.  I couldn’t believe my ears – but maybe they have the guts to say it when no one else will. 

How many other “Christians” spiritual growth is tied to whether or not God works through their situations?  How many fully turn over their lives to God as well?

Situations like these point us towards the importance of a personal relationship with God and discipleship.  We cannot just assume that Sunday morning attendance will get us any closer in our relationship – it takes work.

Discipleship in most churches is a joke because people want the easy answers without any work.  They want the Sunday School classes that stuff their faces and serve the best coffee but never get beyond the “How are you? Fine” introductions – because it would require them to open up their personal lives.  They look for help with their children’s spiritual formation but when you have classes to help them they don’t sign up!  Sound familiar?

We need to reach beyond the pew and the Sunday School room into each person’s life to see where they are at in their spiritual growth.  Instead of offering a class, take the time to meet someone in our church at a personal level.  Find out their interests (beyond Clemson and/or Carolina) and get to know them.  I am envious of those Christians who have the gift of relating with all people – I cannot seem to start a conversation at all – it is one of my weaknesses.

How can I change?  I’ll admit that I have been too concerned in the past with ministry details that I overlooked the people around me.  We cannot assume that pouring our efforts into ministry will work unless we realize that we have to pour it into the people we minister to as well.  If we are relational with the families in our churches then we will know how to minister best!  Don’t buy the latest, greatest program but take the time to learn how ministry can work with the people.

If I can be transparent – so can each of you.  Step back, take a deep breath, and then pray about ways to affect the people in the pews.  It’s a start!

Your thoughts?

God Bless, Sam.