Going to church is not about me, though I derive great benefit by being there.  Studying, weeding through and ingesting God’s Word with other believers is certainly not about me, but I am edified and strengthened in the process.  Working as a field member toward the harvest of saints is not about me, but I will receive a job well done from Christ for it as I enter His presence.  In truth, sometimes being with other believers, working through the Word and sharing each others’ burden is not easy, but it provides the greatest growth for all of us.  After all I am a bond-servant to Christ for my salvation, in slavery to His righteousness, His Purpose for my life, so that He might live this life through me.  How then may I justify staying away from church for reasons that feed my own desires?

Yes, I am struggling in relationships, because that is the nature of self, it gets in the way of peace, prosperity and agreement.  How might the Lord work out the kinks in my difficulties without providing the relational opportunities to work through those problems?  I am among them because that is where He wants me to be, not because I will always find it comfortable, pleasant and entirely self-satisfying.  In fact, it really challenges me most visits.  Either I am convicted by the expository preaching of God’s Word, or I am reminded of my limited skills or I remember how much other people’s needs should outweigh my own self-concern.  Rarely do I come home without some manner of challenge or improvement being offered by having attended church with other believers in Christ.  For God’s Word never returns void.

I will not tell you that I always agree with the practices, delivery and interpretations of the pastors or guest speakers.  Their correction or inadequacy is not my concern, for I know that the Holy Spirit resides in them too, correcting, chastening, growing them in their walk with Jesus.  I must not view them as perfect nor require them to be so.  They are humans as any of us, with sin, self-serving voices and temptation.  If any thing they require more prayer because of their position of authority, for they will also face greater expectation with Christ.  That is why we are cautioned about accepting lightly the position of teacher or pastor.  This walk within the church is about overcoming.  Overcoming our own perspectives in an effort to live in harmony as we are called.  I want them all to grow and I want them to hold my feet to the flames of my own edification and maturity.  Church is most about me using the gifts I was given by God to edify, assist, heal and encourage the saints I have been given the privilege of growing alongside.  Every time I attend, ironically and especially those times that I did not wish to attend I find that someone there truly needed my help.  That is the gift of my salvation, that I might find purpose in service to Christ and His body.

Do not give up on the attempt, please.  Yes, there will be discomfort, but I submit that if you stick with it you will find all those things that God has promised.  We were not meant to be alone, we are ambassadors of the same God who said how much we love each other will be evidence of our kinship.  Grow in your faith by hearing His Word.  Grow in your gifts by using them for the Good of His Kingdom.  Grow in love by giving love, especially when it is ill deserved, for this is the love of Christ.  None of us belonged before He welcomed us.  This is the challenge to help others feel welcomed within the body of Christ, as the world ignores, overlooks, undervalues and sacrifices them on the altars of self-service.  We are different because of whom we serve.  Embrace that difference by loving each other regardless of the challenges.  For if we could forgive every transgression we would not need Christ.  If we could love every enemy we would not need the power of the Spirit to overcome our own hatred.  Brother arm, sister foot, cousin heart, the body cannot fully function without all of its requisite parts.  We will always be hampered in disability without you.  We will never be whole without you.  I pray that you find your way home.  In the Name of Jesus Christ the King.