It's not you, It's me

George Costanza from the classic comedy "Seinfeld" said he invented the phrase, "It's not you, it's me".  This is a phrase many have used when trying to explain the end of a dating relationship. While in that context it is more about assigning blame, it can also be a statement of accountability. With that in mind let's now consider this.

Recently I read a Facebook post from an individual who had visited a new church. While giving their impressions of this first time visit they stated, "I have never experienced God's presence like I did today" (not a direct quote but paraphrase). After chewing on this statement for a while it hit. Really??? (this person was not a new believer and while I don't know how many churches they have been to it was clear this was at least their second). Here's the point experiencing God's presence should have nothing to do with where we are, whose praying, preaching or leading worship, how good the band is, how "cool" the lighting is. In other words if you can't enter into His presence don't blame the preacher, the worship leader, or the church. Blame yourself. Better yet ask yourself why you can't enter in? Far too many believers love to play this blame game and go church hopping in search of that perfect place. But honestly, if you need to find a certain church or environment to enter His presence than I think you are missing it because we should be able to enter in to His presence no matter where we are if our heart is right and if we are really hungry for Jesus. This is one of the top reasons we see church hoppers (shoppers?).

So if you're having trouble entering in this Sunday, don't look at the pastor. Don't look at the worship leader or band. Don't look at the people around you. Look in the mirror and realize it's not them it's you. Be accountable and stop blaming others.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

Building His Kingdom or Our Own?

Today on Christian radio I heard an ad for a church promoting their church, the current series and inviting people to come. This really troubled me. While most would think that makes sense, a church ad on a Christian station, it got me to thinking is that what should be done? Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with that if that's what a church chooses to do but for me that is directed at building a church and not the kingdom. Not too many unbelievers will be hearing that ad if any, so the ad will only be reaching believers who for the most part will have a church. So is the ad directed toward getting them to come to yours because you may have better programs and "cooler" worship? What's the purpose for such an ad? It seems to me if a church wants to use media to reach the lost it would make more sense to use the mainstream media that the unbeliever is listening to or watching, to let them know your message and where you are. To me this is another example of building a church but not the kingdom. Essentially building our own little kingdom. Like it or not most church growth is transfer growth, people hopping from church to church because one has better music, a better kid's program or the pastor is a better preacher. This is what these type of ads do. But what if we focused more on kingdom growth? Concerning ourselves more with the things and people outside our walls as much if not more than inside. I believe if we are actively sharing our faith with others, not our church God will be very pleased, His kingdom will grow, and guess what? So will our churches.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

What Do YOU Smell Like?

As believers we are to to be a sweet aroma to God. Yet we stink. People, and God do not want to be around us. Our thoughts, words and how we conduct our lives are not a sweet aroma but rather a foul stench. Why? Because we haven't taken the whole transformation thing very seriously. Our thoughts aren't pure and lovely. Our talk is filthy, our words untimely and we don't speak life to other. Our lives don't imitate God. We don't love like he does. We don't practice holiness. We are no different than we were before and we smell. If we don't clean up who would ever want to stick around to listen to us share the gospel message.

It's time for the church to clean themselves up and be a true reflection of Christ. No one will be attracted to someone who smells like a dead skunk, but everyone will be drawn to the sweet aroma of Jesus.

Let's go hit the showers.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul