Don’t just go to Church. I’m serious. I’m telling you to not .. just.. go.. to church. I’m asking you if you belong in Church.
We all go places. We go visit others, we go to events, concerts or dinners. But going somewhere doesn’t mean you belong to the group you’re going to. Sounds obvious, but for the Christian going to Church, this should make us stop and think. We shouldn’t “go” to Church. But we do “belong” in Church. So what is the difference between going and belonging ? And why does it matter ?
On my drive back yesterday, I listened to a podcast in which the difference between going and belonging was briefly mentioned. So herewith I want to give Matt Chandler from the Village Church in Flower Mound, TX all the credit. I don’t know if he coined the phrase, but that’s whom I heard it from first. So thanks Matt for making me think 😉
As you read this title, you may say “Of course going and belonging are not the same”. It’s not because you go to the opera, that you’re an opera singer. It’s not because you go to AA, you are truly alcohol free. Likewise going to Church, doesn’t make you a Christian. Let me say this again just to make it clear: Going to Church doesn’t make you a Christian. Before you go any further though, remember you can’t be a Christian outside the Church either. So don’t give me the argument that you can worship at home. I’ll write about that another time.
What makes something like AA effective is the sense of belonging. The connection, internalization, commitment. The relationships with your fellow attendees. Those are the things that make the difference between going to AA and belonging in AA. The difference between going and belonging is a matter of the heart. It’s a matter of motives. It’s a difference between obedience and desire.
As Christians we are not being called to “go to Church”. God has always made it clear to us that belonging to His family is a matter of the heart and not only a matter of action. In the Old Testament we see many examples of God actually rejecting Israel’s worship. Israel follows the law, they bring the sacrifices, they bring bulls, rams, goats, doves. And yet God again and again rejects their worship. Why ? Because their heart wasn’t in it. Because they just went through the motions. Let’s just look at two passages. Psalm 50:1-23 and Micah 6:6-8.
In Psalm 50 we read:
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. (Psalm 50:8-9)
and
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High (Psalm 50:14)
Micah shows us that:
“With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6-8)
Both passages teach us that what changes going to church into true worship is the thanksgiving, the kindness, the justice and above all, the humility. Those are all things we would call motives. All things that come from the heart.
In the New Testament Jesus and later Paul drive this topic home, again and again. Just read Luke 21:1-4 again. Or John 4:24. Or Matthew 7:21-23. It is not a matter of showing up, it’s not a matter of how much we do or perform or give or sing. It’s a matter of why and how and what motivates us.
And how does one truly feel like they belong somewhere ? I don’t know about you, but it’s definitely not by sitting in the pew or chair or bench, listening and then leaving as fast as I can before anyone has a chance to talk to me. Belonging defines your identity and therefore belonging means connection. Belonging means relationship. Belonging means being a part of something bigger than yourself, not just being yourself. If you just “go to Church”, you belong to yourself. Not to the community around you, not to God, not to Christ. But when you “belong in Church”, you are part of that community and are glued to Christ like no other.
So why do you go to Church ? Because you have to ? Because someone told you so ? The latter only leads to showing up for the one or two hours each week. Going through the motions. And it’s a waste of time and doesn’t fool anyone.
Or do you go because you want to ? Because you are part of this family and you want to be there ? Because you want to glorify and thank Him for what He has done and continues to do for us ?
So wherever you are next Sunday morning, ask yourself this: Are you here because you belong here ? Or did you come because someone told you to go ?