Pastor's Corner

for Sunday March 8th
Church is a community thing.
What does the church mean to you? Why do you go to church? What do you like about church? Is the church an indispensable part of your life? The answers to these questions are relevant because I think many go to church out of "me" centered reasons. Without realizing it church can become just another place where it's all about me. We live in a culture that exalts the individual. This is seen clearly in our entertainment, education, economics, domestic patterns and religion which are all geared toward the idolatry of self. Phrases are frequently heard like, "celebrate yourself", "you must first love yourself"; "you deserve to spoil yourself", and relationships are often jettisoned in order to go off and "find ourselves". Without realizing it we believe that it's all about me and so we go to church IF I need it. And if "church" doesn't "pump me up" then I feel like I wasted my time and if it happens often enough I start looking for another church where my needs will be met. However, Jesus brings us into a community that scripture describes as a "body" - each part serving the rest of the body. Jesus places us in a community where you must die to self and deny yourself. The church is where we as individuals learn to love others; we learn to put others first; we love them because Jesus loves them. Another important function of the church is that in the church we are held accountable. If the church is truly living as a community it's not a place where you can hide but where the Holy Spirit will challenge you and convict you through that brother or sister that comes alongside you and encourages you and, if necessary, gently but firmly challenges you. Our narcissistic culture is slowly killing us but God will bring real life through this community we call church (if you stick around) - He will take your eyes off yourself and focus them on others and that is a very healthy thing.
Pastor Don.