Has someone ever said to you, “I don’t need church.” Perhaps this person is also a Christian. Perhaps this person was or is, you. Here’s how to respond.

*Please excuse any grammatical errors. This was written on iphone with no time to edit.

The early church was DEVOTED. Look around at the standard American church today. Are we?

We’ve been reviewing what true devotion to a local body of believers means and why it’s so pivotal to a Christian’s walk. In a nutshell, it’s not about you!

Some people don’t know what the problem is so first, it’s important to know that:

  • About 40 million adults in America today used to go to church but no longer do, which accounts for around 16% of our adult population. For the first time in 80 years that Gallup has tracked American religious membership, more adults in the US do not attend church than attend church.
  • More people have left the church in the last 25 years than all the new people who became Christians from the first great awakening (1730’s-1740’s), second great awakening (1790-1840), and Billy Graham crusades combined.
  • These stats come from the book The Great Dechurching.

What’s really concerning though is their reasoning:

  • I don’t have time.
  • I don’t feel it’s important or necessary.
  • I moved and haven’t plugged in.
  • I think church is too strict.
  • People hurt me.
  • I don’t align with their beliefs.
  • My friends aren’t there.

After reading this book I’m not even sure the researchers realize how silly these mindsets are. How did we get to the point that we are so far removed from the unsaid, non-negotiable, just natural relationship between a commitment to Christ and therefore His church, when you turn from your old life to The New Way?

I think a few things need to be said before I give you my old mindset slashes. Just know these are my opinions based on what I observed over the last 21 years of being a Christian, and 14 years of running a gym ministry, and 3 1/2 years of leading a church ministry.

#1. We have let the cultural mindset seep into our minds and thus, our churches. We have commitment issues. We bop around looking for the “perfect” fit. We are finnicky and get caught up with the latest marketing trends and like to go to places where “things are happening.” All to realize that that was prompted by a highlight reel we saw on social media and when we get into the inner workings of how things truly work, we’ll realize it’s the same everywhere because we are human and humans are imperfect.

#2. The true, full Gospel isn’t being preached at all churches. Creation. Fall. Redemption. Consummation. All four encapsulate the true 4-part gospel. A soft message has trickled into the standard American church because quite frankly, people want their ears tickled and we get nervous that since humans already struggle with commitment issues, we need to appeal to their senses to keep them and prevent them from leaving. We have an easily offended societal fabric and instead of people diving into their convictions, they run away because their feelings are hurt and they want to go to a place where they hear things that only make them feel good about themselves.

#3. We preach prosperity. Make it all about one’s “best life.” Blessings. It becomes about what people can gain from choosing Christianity, rather than what they GIVE to Christ and His body, and give up from their old life to pursue their new one. It’s about benefits for a person rather than benefits we can give as members to other members of the local body.

#4. Distractions. Busyness. Comfort. Honestly, people just schedule way too much in their life before making the main thing the main thing and prioritizing first things first. Honestly, why would you feel the desire to change when you feel so secure in having everything you need? How could you think about another thing when you can’t find time to think about another thing?

#5. People struggle to commit and people also struggle to submit…to the Word of God. We are so rebellious that we like to think that our ways are correct and surely God can’t mean some of the things He says. So we rip out pages of the Bible that we like and we won’t stay in a Bible teaching church that includes all the pages not just comfortable ones.

#6. People don’t realize what true Koinonia (devoted, steadfast fellowship) looks like. That’s why we’ve been diving into it. A weekend church service is great and part of it, but not all of it. It’s so much more depth into relational discipleship with like-minded believers for accountability, needs, and admonishing (urging, pushing each other). It’s going to get messy. People will see your mess and you’ll see other’s. This is true discipleship and shepherding though. Sinners understanding & helping other sinners as we SPUR one another on to be grown in Christ.

True Koinonia (see my notes from last week below):

  • To walk away from wicked ways.
  • Differentiate ourselves from culture.
  • Worship the Lord in all things, keep Christ at the center, and surrender to His Holy Spirit.
  • Spur one another on.
  • Use our gifts to serve the body.
  • Become one.

Alright, these are just some of my opinions. How do I know these things? Because I USED TO MAKE THE SAME COMMENTS.

8 things I used to say about church

And the quick one-liners about my SHIFT in mindset by taking all thoughts captive. If you’ve missed the last two weeks you’re going to miss a lot but you’ll at least get the point:

  1. Hypocrites. Ya, so are you.
  2. No time. You have time, you’re just not dictating how you use it.
  3. Don’t need it. Cuz you don’t recognize how wretched you are.
  4. Don’t like organized religion. So you prefer disorganized? Structure, order, and form matter.
  5. Makes me feel guilty about myself. Good, you should. And that’s not the church making you feel that way, that’s your conscience.
  6. The church is corrupt; it’s just about money. Um, you just regurgitated that. Some people are. You can’t generalize.
  7. But then when I got a little bit hungry and desired church, it turned into…Where are the true Christians? No one wants depth. Find them and make sure you are working on yours also.
  8. I can hide in the back row so what’s the point. Stop waiting for others. It’s not about being fed. Be the church, be proactive, do your part.

Here are some other statements and how I’ve talked myself through them:

#1. I love Jesus but can do this on my own.

While yes there is part truth in that statement, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. It won’t be nearly as effective, productive, and transformative. Left to our own devices we will fall back into deceitful ways. Devote yourself to teaching and koinonia with like minded believers so you escape the wicked ways of yourself and culture.

#2. Jesus never said I have to go to church.

Jesus said to love God with all your heart mind and soul. And to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus loved the church and His people and we are supposed to choose to love the things He loves. So we devote ourselves to worshipping Him and spurring one another on to do the same because it’s not about us.

#3. I can still be a Christian and not go to church.

Remember, this isn’t about condemnation of exceptions. This is about encouragement to be a body that builds, sticks to, and protects church matters because church matters. The problem is not an exception when one misses church. It’s not the wisest nor healthiest when the exception is that you’re even there. Don’t rob people of your gift, and don’t rob others of letting them use their gift to bless you.

I’ll add one more thing. Even after saying all this someone is going to say, well I love my church but I don’t “feel” some of these things you mentioned that church is supposed to be about. Then it’s time to get plugged in. Be proactive. Sign up for a small group or start your own. Devoted followers gathered both in the temple and houses. A leader of a church can’t be responsible for getting you plugged in. That takes initiative on behalf of all of us. Somehow, you have to do life with believers outside of Sunday mornings. This is where depth happens.

We’ll be going there next when we talk about disciples making disciples, and not just believers.

God bless,

Coach Theo

How did the Word convince me that church is wise, healthy, and necessary? Dive in to more below.

The case for Church part 1 video and The case for Church part two notes