Wednesday, August 8, 2001
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Wednesday, August 8, 2001 |
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If you already have a church home, don't read this ... By REV JOHN HATCHER For unchurched eyes only! If you are an active member in a local church, read something else. This is for those folks who have yet to decide to attend a church. First of all, I want to say to all you who are not active in a local church: you are missing out on building friendships with some of the nicest, most generous, and lovable people in Georgia. Seriously, church house after church house waits on you to come through their doors so they can love you. In just showing up one Sunday morning, you will get more affirmation than at Cooperstown has for new inductees in the Baseball Hall of Fame. This love you experience in local houses of worship will be there for you when adversity hits. Do you know of any other "agency" that will get up a meal for your family when death visits or when sickness knocks? It's the House of Love that sends out the love in the form of meals, visits to the local jails, and even helping to pay the power bill. Second, you will make friends. I know people who have come through our church came and went but it was through the local church that they made friends that will serve them the rest of their lives. Truthfully, most people are lonely. Most households receive less than three personal telephone calls a week. People are lonely and desperate for meaningful relationships. Bingo! The church house is the house of relationships. First, we talk about the relationship between you and God. Then, we get down to relationships between you and Bill and Mary and Sue and Joe. Third, by participating in a local church, you link your life with eternal purposes. It simply is nauseating to live your life for the newest restaurant to open or the latest, effective underarm deodorant. Through a church, you can link your life with eternal purposes. You will hear every week the teaching of the Word of God of which it is said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but not my Word." Think of that: your life having eternal dimensions. They will teach you in the church that you can deposit prayers at the very throne room of heaven prayers that will be alive and operative even after you are dead and gone from the earthly scene. Think of that: you can pray for your grandchildren's mates, fully knowing that unless you reach 100, you will never see them. Fourth, a local church will help you in your vocation, career, or profession. You'll learn that God does not wake up just on Sunday, but that he is interested in your progress at school, at the office, and on the road. God wants you to be successful in your chosen career path and through the church, you will learn God's methods for success. Good question for you: in your present work situation, would you want your best or would you want God's and your best? Bet I know the answer. Your local church will help you seek our God's best for your life. Fifth, a local church will help you and your love ones face the big fact of life and that's death. The obituary column has new entries every day. The last time I checked, the mortality rate was 100 percent. You will die! Would you like to know the best way to die? Bingo! Your local church will help you discover the very best way to die. So, I have not mentioned all the benefits of local church membership and participation. Maybe my readers will write some letters to the editor and share even more benefits, that is, if you read this column and I told you not to!
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville. |
