This Isn’t My Church

This Isn’t My Church

As churches in America were shuttering in the Spring due to COVID19, many were scurrying to provide services via livestreaming. However, my youngest son’s church in the Omaha area was already equipped, so my son and his family began worshipping in their living room as they viewed the worship service from their smart television. On one particular Sunday morning, as the family was now routinely worshipping from their living room, our four year old grandson exclaimed, “this isn’t my church.” Confused by his statement, my son and daughter-in-law quickly assured him this was (his) their church. He smugly disagreed and explained that his favorite guitar player wasn’t on the stage and the band didn’t play his favorite song, Way Maker. So, his conclusion was, “this isn’t my church.”

This is a cute story to tell about a 4 year old child trying to figure out life and the world around him. It is also very normal for a four year old trying to figure out life, let alone what worship is all about. For that matter, in my experience, it is typical for a 4 year old to see life only through his limited personal experience and knowledge. You might say, a 4 year old thinks the world somehow revolves around their preferences and desires. At this point in his life, he is learning but largely sees worship based on his feelings, ideas and preferences. In other words, he is the audience instead of Jesus. Though, guided by his parents he will grow and mature but for now, the worship is largely for him instead of about Jesus in his mind.

Whether a 4 year old, teenager or an adult, it is always exciting when people began to see Jesus for who He is and the real purpose of worship. They stop evaluating and judging and simply surrender and begin joining in and supporting the worship experience. Simply put, they learn to focus on Jesus. My grandson is right in one sense, “it isn’t my church.” For that matter, it isn’t your church. Why? The church belongs to Jesus. He paid for it with His blood. May we worship HIM in obedience, praise and honor!

^{AC 20:28} Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

A Work in Progress,

Pastor Gene