If you’ve followed my blog at all within the last few weeks (or put up with my frequent posts on Facebook and Twitter) you have probably noticed a common theme.  I’ve been writing a lot about church.  I wrote about the dangers of church hopping HERE, why you need to pick a church and stick with it HERE, and most recently 5 things you should consider before choosing a church HERE.

A Non-Christian friend recently posed this question to me: “Why do you care so much about this topic (church)”?  It’s a fair question.  Why indeed? Couldn’t I just mind my own business and do what’s right for my own family?  My Non-Christian friends point of view seems to be shared by a lot of my Christian friends too.  Most folks in general don’t want to be told they need to change and are content in their current circumstance. People don’t want to be told that their church hopping habits are destructive.  People don’t want to be told that their skipping of church all together is dangerous.  Those aren’t “make me feel happy about myself” types of topics.

Meanwhile behind the scenes, some friends who happen to be pastors are “liking” my church themed posts, and “sharing” them in a way that isn’t screaming “listen flock, you need to do this now”.   It sort of allows the pastor to express their thoughts in a way that makes me the bad guy (instead of them).  I don’t mind being the bad guy when it comes to telling the truth.  You can feel free to throw me under the bus anytime you like (as long as someone else gets helped in the process).

For so many years I always evaluated a church by what it had to offer me.  I wanted to feel comfortable.  I wanted to be lost in the crowd thus avoiding any kind of conflict.  I wanted to be entertained.  I wanted a specific sort of music and preaching.  I wanted a parking spot that wasn’t too far from the entrance.  I wanted to be able to slip out the back before service ended to escape the crowds (or to show up late for the same reason).  I wanted a perfect pastor with perfect kids who are perfect examples. My want list has always been exceptionally long.

As I’ve grown older – and presumably wiser – I’ve come to learn that many of the things on my want list are actually foolish.  I’ve realized that I don’t live up to most of the things that I expected from my church (and its pastors).  At the end of the day, you probably don’t live up to the standard that you expect from your church (and pastors) either.

Church is about a bunch of imperfect people getting together to worship and serve a perfect God.  Service (and worship) are at the heart of the biblical church experience.  You are never more like your Savior than when you become one with your local church, and commit your life to serving (and worshiping) God and your fellow man.  How do you serve your local church?  How do you get plugged in? Why should you get involved instead of just sitting on the sidelines as a spectator (being entertained) ? What does your church need from you?  I have some ideas for you to consider that apply regardless of the size of the church you attend or the location.

I truly believe that if you do these things your church experience will change for the better, your pastors job will be a million times easier (and more enjoyable) and the Church (capital C) will grow both in numbers and Christ-likeness.

1) Your church needs you to step out of your comfort zone.  This is the biggest issue for a lot of people.  It’s too easy to get comfortable and sit on the sidelines like a football fan.  It’s nerve wracking to expose your weaknesses to strangers.  It’s excruciatingly difficult to admit to a bunch of people that you struggle with sin.  It’s uncomfortable to get out of your comfort zone to meet new people.  I have introverted aspects to my personality, so I can relate with you.  However, you have to get out of your comfort zone if you want to help your church be successful.  You don’t have to magically become a brilliant public speaker.  That’s a good job for the extroverted types.  Instead, sign up to serve in a ministry where you will be around other people.  Welcome new faces when you see them.  Introduce yourself to a stranger.  Do something different than what you have done the past 20 years. Share the gospel with someone. You might be surprised with what God will do with this small act of getting uncomfortable for Christ.

2) Your church needs your undivided attention.  It’s becoming increasingly difficult for churches to compete with things like football, television, electronics, work, etc.  Some churches try to incorporate these things into the mix. Some churches are successful at doing this (while still being church)  while other churches become more like __________ (fill in the blank) than they are like a church.  Why force your churches hand?  Why hold your church hostage? Don’t you know that you are largely responsible for your church becoming “more like the world” ?  Your church needs your undivided attention to be successful.

3) Your church needs you to tithe.  I’m not sure if it’s because of the prosperity gospel movement in America that so many people are convinced that the local church is out to get their money.  Believe it or not, most churches either struggle to make ends meat, or run very frugally. While that may not be the case at your church, a lot of pastors struggle to make enough to support their families and depend on regular tithes to make it.  If you decide to hold back your tithe because churches are “greedy” and “have enough”, shame on you.  Your local church needs your tithe to be successful.  While it may be true that your pastor will do the job for free, should he have to?  Should the man work 60 – 70 – 80 hour work weeks for free, while you make a ton of money at your 40 hour a week job?  Should the pastor have to pay the churches mortgage payment out of his families savings account? Imagine if God “held back” your paycheck because he deemed you unworthy of the money.

4) Your church needs you to attend consistently.  If you skip work all of the time your boss will promptly let you go. Thankfully church is much more forgiving than your boss is.  If you miss training at your job you likely won’t be promoted to the next level.  In a similar sense if you frequently miss church, you probably won’t experience much spiritual growth.  If your boss won’t let you work from home because he or she thinks it’s important for you to show up on site, you should understand that your pastor really needs you to show up on site too. Which brings me to my last point.

5) Your church needs you to start serving immediately.  Your church (and pastors) need your help.  You don’t pay your pastor a meager salary to do all of the work.  Whenever you see a pastor trying to do all of the work, you see a man who is falling apart at the seams.  He needs you tremendously.  His family needs you.  The local community needs you.  The world needs you. Most importantly, Jesus needs you!  All Christians are commanded to be followers of Christ.  In order to be obedient to that command you have to get involved and serve.  Sign up for the church choir. Sign up to greet people as they arrive to church.  Sign up to be an usher.  Sign up to cook food for the needy.  Sign up to deliver gifts to poor kids on Christmas.  There are a million things that you could do for your local church.  Contact your local church and ask them how you can serve.  They will tell you what they are in need of and what your gifts are.

I hope that his post has been encouraging to you, and I sincerely hope that you always remember that your church needs you in order to be successful.  You are an essential part of your local churches success!