Why Belong to a Church?

This might sound like a foolish question. However, it is not. Many believe that one can be a Christian and never belong to a church. Some state rather strongly that my relationship with God is exactly that — my relationship with God. In other words, I should be able to have my own personal relationship with God without the interference or influence from anyone else. There is some truth to this statement. Ultimately, you will be held accountable for how you live your life by only one person, God. With that thought in mind, however, it should motivate us all the more to find a church where we can grow in Christ. God’s plan for salvation includes fellowship with the church of Jesus Christ. I know, it is an imperfect church that often falls short of the glory to which it is called. Nonetheless, God’s plan from the beginning is that we would become a community of friends gathered around the crucified and resurrected Messiah.

First, God formed Israel to be His new people in the fallen world. God called Abraham to leave his home and go to a new land where he and his wife, Sara, would give birth to a great nation (Genesis 12-24). This nation was then to show the rest of the world how to live according to God’s plan. They were to be God’s holy people (Exodus 19-24; Deuteronomy). This new nation was asked to live with God at the very center of their life (Exodus 20.1-7). Out of this new relationship would then flow love and concern for others (Exodus 20.8-17). The prophets in the Old Testament then challenged Israel to live up to this calling (Micah 6.7-8).

A similar pattern is found in the New Testament. Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of sins (Romans 5.6-8). He saves us from the judgement of sin by laying down His life for us. This great salvation must be appropriated by the individual through faith (Ephesians 2.8-10). However, it must always be remembered that He saves us into a new family, the church. Thus, in the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews instructs all Christians in this manner: "And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together . . ." (Hebrews, 10.24-25, NRSV). Many in this church addressed by the New Testament letter entitled Hebrews had already fallen away from the faith. The writer is making his point clear: the encouragement, support, and direction of other Christians is essential to keeping one moving forward in our faith. This verse, coupled with the fact that nearly every New Testament document was written to communities, and nearly every second person pronoun is plural, makes it clear that we were called to be a part of church.

Last, experience teaches that we really do need other. We need support, encouragement, and accountability to walk with God and grow in His grace. The New Testament calls us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3.18). We are to continue to seek after Christ and serve Him all of our life. This is not an easy challenge. We need one another to help us make it through. We need a church, a community of friends that gathers and celebrates with one another the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no other way.

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How do I become a Christian?

Becoming a Christian is one of the easiest, and yet possibly, the most painful steps in your life. It is easy because God in Christ has paid the price for your forgiveness. As the Bible says, ". . . in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them . . ." (2 Corinthians 5.19, NRSV) What this short verse states is that God has done the work on your behalf. We are all sinners, people who have not lived as God wanted us to live; and we are unable to correct this problem ourselves. So God sent His son to suffer and die for the forgiveness of our sins. He corrected the problem of the world by taking the judgement of sin upon himself. It is done. There is nothing more we need to do except receive, by faith, this incredible gift. That’s right, just accept God’s acceptance of you. The steps are simple. Confess your sins, turn away from doing everything your way, and place your trust in the God who forgave you. Then commit to make him the Lord (CEO) of your life. If you do this, you are now a Christian.

However, this is not the end of the journey. It is only the beginning. You are called to grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3.18). The New Testament expectation for all Christians is that they continue to mature in their faith. Begin by finding a church that preaches the salvation of Jesus Christ and is committed to His word, the Bible. Second, find Bible studies or accountability groups that would enable you to advance in your faith. Third, begin to pray to God about everything and anything. Ask Him to help guide you in your life.

If after reading this, you have made a commitment to become a follower of Jesus Christ, we want to know about it so that we help you become more established in your faith. Please call the church office and ask for Pastor David Steinhart, or send an e-mail to the church at srvcf@sbcglobal.net.

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What does it mean to belong to church?

Every Christian should belong to a church. This might mean one decides to become a member. It might mean that one chooses one church to call home. In both cases, the believer should have a sense of ownership for that church. Thus, belonging to a church includes the following.

First, every member a minister. The Bible teaches that every person is gifted in unique ways to be of service to the church. No gift or service is to be looked down upon. They are all essential. It might be singing or it might be cleaning the carpet. Regardless, it is service to the Lord, and it is essential for the well-being of the church.

Second, every member a fully-devoted follower of Jesus Christ. This is a no-brainer. To become a member of a church, one must be a follower of Jesus Christ. The member must know that their sins are forgiven and they are a child of God. Then this person must be growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Third, every member a giver. We encourage the principle of tithing. It is a biblical one that stems all the way back to the Old Testament. In Israel, one would give the firstfruits of the harvest (See Malachi 3.10; Leviticus 27.30). Today, we translate that to mean that we give a percentage of our income consistently and regularly to church for the growth of the Kingdom. We encourage the notion of ten percent because that is what is mentioned in the Old Testament. However, we do not regulate it. How much you give is between you and God.

Fourth, every member a part of the solution. Every member is someone who seeks to find solutions to the challenges of the church. This excludes malicious gossip, factions, and the like. It includes grace, peace, and hard work.

Let me close by encouraging you to become a member of a Christian church so that you might fully benefit from its services and so that you might fully contribute to its cause.

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Our Philosophy of Worship

We believe that worship is the most important activity of the church. The church’s chief mandate is the great commandment not the great commission. The great commandment states: "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12.30, NRSV). Out of this prior commitment comes the great commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . ." (Matthew 28.19, NRSV). It is in worship that we are shaped by God’s word and empowered with the Holy Spirit so that we can in turn reach out into our world. With this in mind, we are a church that is committed to the worship of God.

What we believe about worship is simple. We believe that worship is a celebration and reenactment of what God has done in Christ Jesus.

Worship is a celebration. God in Christ Jesus has saved us and has given us new life. Our response to that should be one of praise and thanksgiving. There is a story told by Jesus which teaches us the importance of worship. The story is about 10 lepers who are all healed. That is the good news. The bad news is only one of the 10 returns to give thanks. Jesus asks, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Luke, 17.17-18, NRSV). The point is easily understood, we worship the One who has saved us.

We also believe that worship is work. When the Israelites celebrated Passover, for instance, it was a participatory activity whereby they reenacted the event of Passover (Exodus 12). In so doing, they were making their salvation history present to all. We believe the same about Christian worship. We remember what God has done in Christ Jesus, and we are called be active in praise. Worship is not done to us; it is done by us. We participate as we celebrate.

Last, we always remember God’s work. We work hard to make sure the gospel is proclaimed in our worship service. We will use hymns, choruses, creeds, responsive readings, baptism, and the Lord’s supper to present to the congregation God’s grace and His salvation. The Christian faith is historical. We do not worship the concept of God, but the God who has acted in history. Closely related to this is our commitment to God’s word. Throughout worship, scripture is read. And the sermon is always derived from a certain passage in the Bible.

If you have any further questions about worship, I look forward to answering those. Don’t hesitate to call or drop me an e-mail. We look forward to worshiping with you.

Pastor David Steinhart