here's the church, there's the steeple but take a look inside...

*Tiny Disclaimer: My use of "the church" throughout this post is simply the body of Christ-followers as a whole. Not any specific church or denomination.

So I have been coming back and forth to typepad over the last couple days just struggling with what to write. Every entry I would begin just turned into something that wasn't quite right.

The main topic I've been running circles around is "The Church."

Not out of any true discontent in my own church home but from my own observations and overheard words and things I've read from other people. There has just been a lot false thinking and false truth being said outside the walls of the church and because of this - I am trying to get a better understanding of why even people go to church... what do they believe the purpose of the church is... how did they even begin going... how many people go to church just out of routine and miss the part about growing deeper on your own or in a small group... why people believe and just expect to be spoon-fed ...

So instead of me attempting to understand every self-proclaimed Christian in "Today's American Church Body" - I ask you - my fellow Christian (or even Non-Christian) the following questions. I would love for you to answer and just answer honestly in this safe space (safe because alias names are always ok).   

The American Church

1. Why do you go?
2. How did you begin going?
3. What do you think the point of church is?
4. What do you expect to get out of it?
5. What do you feel you are "owed" for going?
6. Are you doing anything outside of that 1-hour on Sunday to grow?

Thanks friends. I really hope this can ignite some true discussion - not simply for the sake comments but because I think it SO important that people understand the role of the church and the bigger role the church body has in this whole play).

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Old School Crowder Lyrics read them - they're powerful...

All I Can Say

Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while

And didn't You see me cry'n?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where you sat it down

Chorus:
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give

Bridge:
I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were cry'n too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet

Comments

[shari brown]

1. I go because I want to. I love the fellowship, and I know the bible says not to 'forsake' it.
2. High school youth group, I came from a non-christian family, found love and acceptance from the people at church.
3. Points- Honoring God Jesus and Holy Spirit, building our faith, faith of others, supporting those who have needs.
4. Growth knowledge increased faith
5. Persecution-probably would make the church experience more valuable for me...though don't know if I am tough enough to survive.
6. Yes personal bible study daily, devotional time with hubby daily, weekly meeting with home group, worship practice at home and with my team, living a life where I fall down all the time that gives me opportunities to learn!

[Heather Teater]

1. I go to church to glorify God. I think that God wants me to go, and I go to worship him and spend time in fellowship growing along side of other believers.
2. I began going because my sister and family went and they showed me the importance.
3. The point of church for me is to grown in Christ by getting to know even more of who he is. The more time that you spend with your friends and family the more that you begin to understand them and want they want for and from you. The same is true with God. I want to know him, and so I go to church. Also I want to show him that he is lord of my life and I want to spend time worshipping him.
4. I don't expect anything out of church. Church is not about me.... it is about God. The only thing I expect on Sundays is to spend quality time with my lord and savior.
5. absolutely

Hey you. I know that we haven't chatted in a long time, but I thought your questions were really interesting. I wanted to let you know what I thought, and I find your posts very interesting. I am going to read everyone else's responses now. Love you.

[Anne Jackson]

i will reply to this more indepth tomorrow evening...great questions girl! i have not been at my computer for about 24 hours. :) and it is bed time again. loe you.

[Kristiapplesauce]

1a. To learn and grow closer to my savior.
1b. To hang out with other believers...to encourage and be encouraged by those who are in love with or who are learning about Christ.
2. My parents had had enough and were like "That's it, we are going to church!" That was like when I was 13.
3. Praising God and being discipled.
4. Praising God and being discipled.
5. An accountably from those who are in leadership. Deep, thought-provoking, true, sound doctrine.
6. Yup.