Think Deeply About the Church
“It’s easy to confuse the blessings of the Church with her purpose. Being part of Christ’s household comes with so many wonderful benefits. In the local church, we have spiritual family, opportunities to use God’s grace gifts, good teaching, kids’ activities, events to attend, music, people to help us grow spiritually, and so much more. These are all gifts to be grateful for. But if we elevate the perks of the church over the purpose, we make the church about us and suffer mission drift. When the people in our pews are more concerned with “what we get out of it” rather than “why we exist,” we are in a state of amnesia.” Think Deeply About the Church by Beverly Chao Berrus
5 Ways to Combat Half-Hearted Worship on Sunday
“It's already difficult for my weak flesh and distracted mind to worship the Lord rightly, and if I’m not doing anything to prepare my heart for worship on other days of the week, it's even harder. How much more would I benefit from Sunday’s blessings if I anticipated them rightly ahead of time? After all, worshiping God together alongside the body of Christ is a gift. Singing songs of praise, confessing our faith with other brothers and sisters in Christ, and hearing God's Word preached faithfully is something we as Christians look forward to each week, and part of anticipating its blessings is preparing practically for it!” - 5 Ways to Combat Half-Hearted Worship on Sunday by Lainee Oliver
Inviting Women Back to God’s Table
“Why are people so likely to move away from their church community today? One of the biggest reasons is that many aren’t aware of why the local church is so important for believers. The theology of the Church wasn’t something they learned in Sunday School, and when you lack the why behind your actions, it can be difficult to stay committed in hard times. As Christian women who care about the church body, we can help educate others about this important theology and how God works through each of us to build his Kingdom. ” - Inviting Women Back to God’s Table, by Ericka Andersen
Hope and Healing in the Bread and Cup
“Through the Lord’s Table we are invited into a special aspect of on-earth-as-it-is-in-Heaven: we choose healing instead of bitterness, we choose love over hatred, and we choose to belong to each other. We participate in the ministry of reconciliation rather than amputating ourselves from the body of Christ. In Communion with the local church, mercies are made available to us that we wouldn’t otherwise experience. This is the mercy of ushering down to earth parts of heaven, bringing to parched ground the living waters of God’s Kingdom. Together, we take, break, eat, and drink in remembrance of the God who has come and will come again.” - Hope and Healing in the Bread and the Cup by S. A. Morrison
The Church: Essential to Our Endurance
“These brothers and sisters whose lives have been woven into mine have encouraged me, prayed for me, welcomed me to their tables, and adopted me as “auntie” to their kids. We’ve lived through high highs and low lows together, prayed for God’s provision and lifted up our longings and laments to him, pointed one another back to Jesus and the good news of the gospel time and again, and seen God at work in many ways. Church has always been part of my life, part of my week, and often part of my work. But it’s taken a pandemic and a sabbatical to reveal to me that church is not just important, it is essential to faithfully following Jesus.” - The Church: Essential to Our Endurance by Jenilyn Swett
Single, But Not Alone
"When our churches and friends fail us, when we face temptation, when rejection breaks our hearts, Jesus—himself a single man—identifies with our suffering (Isa. 53:3-4; Heb. 4:14-16). When we feel alone, are tempted towards despair, or look for salvation in something other than Jesus, the Holy Spirit reminds us of what is true (John 15:26-27). And when we question our worth, fear scarcity, cry out in lament, or humbly repent, the Father is ready and waiting to pour out his love and comfort (2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 3:14-21; 1 John 3:1-3).” - Single, But Not Alone, by Jenilyn Swett
"I Just Can't Go": The Importance of Gathering with the Local Church
"In today's fast-paced world, the thought of joining a church prayer meeting or gathering with brothers and sisters for a Bible study (sometimes even on Sunday morning) can seem overwhelming. It's one more thing on top of our already-hectic day. Speculations swirl through our minds. Darting thoughts remind us of the faults of others—and ourselves. We're tired, and it's easy to make excuses to keep us from assembling with the saints. But amidst these weary, heavy days, our greatest need (apart from Christ himself) is to be among the Lord's people.’” - I Just Can’t Go: The Importance of Gathering with the Local Church, by Katherine Pittman