Circuit Thoughts

Back in my previous life, I was an insurance agent. (Okay, okay, I get it).

Anyhow, one of the things that my district sales manager told me was to get involved in my church so as to build up a customer base. Now, I was already the choir director of the church, so I didn’t need to “get involved” for that purpose.

In fact, I would eventually leave the insurance game and become a minister. The funny thing was, I don’t think I sold anyone in church a policy. I just couldn’t do it because I wasn’t sure of my motivation.

I tell you this because we have got to stop thinking of church as a social network and a social service. John 6:26 “Jesus answered them, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of loaves.” You see, the people were looking for him for the feeding of the five thousand part 2, however, Christ knew their hearts.

Our task is not to use the church to fill our stomachs, or to build our book of business. Our task as followers of Christ is to go to church expecting the Holy Spirit, while we worship God with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Church, again, is about what we have to offer to God, not what God will give to us.

In 19th century China, the missionaries over there had a name for those who joined church in the bad times and then left when things got good. They were called “rice Christians” because they originally came for the free rice and didn’t stick around for the word of God. I believe we have developed a whole industry that caters to the “rice Christians”. The perfect example of “rice Christians” is the surge in church attendance after 9/11, and then the subsequent loss of attendance.

Church is not meant, nor never was meant to be a social works program. It is meant to be a time of worship for God. Even the Methodist term “social holiness” is about the holiness of gathering, not holy social work. (You can read about this in the preface of “Hymns and Sacred Poems” by John Wesley chapter 5.)

Now, I’m not saying that feeding the poor or taking care of the downtrodden shouldn’t be done. I’m just saying it shouldn’t be the top priority of the church, nor used as a scheme to attract members. Church is about God; thus, the heart needs to be focused on God. If the spirit is right, then the works will fall into place.

If you truly want to change the world, then “eat of the bread of life” and never go hungry again.

It’s kind of like the emergency masks in the falling airplane. You must put the mask on first so you can help those around you get theirs on. If God is our top priority in worship, then the church can address the issues of the community. If not, then the church is nothing more than a civic club and will soon pass away.

Something to think about.

See you in church.