in response to our last Partnership meeting

[underdog3]

05.21.08
At our last partnership mtg, during our refuge time (a time to ask questions, voice frustrations, and speak openly) the question was raised inquiring of the current status of the church prompted by the visible decline of how many people attend on Sunday mornings.

This started what was, in my opinion, a very healthy conversation that acknowledged the proper heart one should strive for in their view of any church. Once you are committed to a local body of believers at a particular church, the focus should be on God, worshiping him, seeking his face, and doing his will in our lives and in the church. This is in opposition to the question of "What does this church or that church do for me?"

By no means am I saying that you cannot decide what church to go to based on what style of worship there is, what kind of teaching they have, or if the children's ministry is catering to the specific needs of your children. These are not bad question when looking for a church to commit to. And in no way am I saying that you can't desire to be filled and have your needs met through the church. But once you have made a decision, commit to that specific body until God leads you somewhere else in life.

We talk about the church being a family and a home. For example, at the church (in Lombard) the offering is focused towards those that consider us their home. I pay the bills at my house but when I am a guest in my friend’s house, he doesn't expect me to pay for his bills. This is the same thinking with the offering. The reason I bring this up is that when you are a part of a home or a family and something changes or difficult times fall upon you, our response should be to draw in closer to each other and to look to the head of the household for strength and guidance.

All this to offer up a call... a call to the church (in Lombard) to draw together in community with each other and to look to Christ, the head of the church, for strength and guidance. Please join with me in committing to pray and fast for the church in increasing frequency.

thanks for being the church with me,
Steve