With what attitude do you go to church? The church is a beautiful place where the body of Jesus Christ comes together. That is also one of the important features of the church: we form the body of Christ together. When you look at the human body, you know every part is important and you need them all. Life becomes much harder without eyes, ears, a knee, or a thumb. Each part is needed for a body to work well.
The church is a place where you may find rest, worship God, receive teaching, and where others care for you and help you. At the same time, the church is also a calling. I love how Paul puts it in his letter to the Romans:
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” (Romans 1:11–12)
Paul looks forward to being encouraged himself in the church at Rome. At the same time, he does not want to come empty-handed. He wants to serve, share what he has received from God, and encourage the others.
A healthy relationship with the church goes two ways. You are encouraged by Bible-faithful preaching, people who pray for you, a listening ear, and help with practical or spiritual things. At the same time, it is also everyone’s responsibility to serve the body of Christ with what God has given to you.
That does not have to be on the stage. Often it is not. But what has God given to you in a special way, and how can you help the people in the church with it? Besides spiritual help, this can also be practical, such as:
Invite someone who has little money and give that person a nice dinner.
Do you know someone is moving soon? Offer to help.
Does someone have a spiritual struggle or a spiritual storm? Let them know you pray and that they can always call you.
Together we are the body of Christ, and together we may care for this body. We do this in the local church, which is a part of the worldwide church of Jesus.