Making the Most of Membership
I recently joined a gym.
I actually went four times in the past seven days, but I hardly got any exercise. The first time, I forgot my towel and felt paranoid that they would kick me out because they had a huge sign up that said “Towel check week.” So I left after 20 minutes.
The second time, I couldn’t find my membership card (it was in my jacket pocket but of course I looked in every pocket of my purse and wallet and came up empty) so I went back home and didn’t feel like going back.
The third time, I had an appointment with the fitness trainer so I answered questions about my health, etc. and didn’t get to actually exercise.
I wonder if we ever feel equally unsatisfied after we go to church.
Do we come back home and feel like we hardly connected to God? That we were at the right place, doing the right things, going through the right motions, but that none of our spiritual muscles were engaged?
Were we anxious the whole time about what others might think of us?
We signed up for the church because we wanted to be spiritually active, but are we getting our money’s worth? (time = money).
What would make our experience at church worthwhile?
Extending the gym analogy, the church could ensure that it provides a safe environment to exercise faith: a space where each person can develop at his or her own pace; a community that provides accountability and encouragement through group activities as well as individual routines; a training ground where professionals model, coach, and challenge members to achieve their goals; a culture where individuals with different backgrounds, personalities, and needs respect each other’s desires to improve and promote wholistic health (spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, and relational).
The right tools should be provided, reviewed, and updated, with clear descriptions and instructions for usage. There should be a variety of ways people can engage and exercise their spiritual core: the weights of bible studies, the treadmill of service, the pool of prayer relays, small group workouts… There should even be a cafe of socials and food.
But no matter how well-equipped the church may be, no matter how proficient the trainers and how inspiring the music, you ultimately decide how much you get out of it.
Are you making an effort to be there consistently? Once there, do you just go through the motions or are you really engaging and building your faith muscles through active listening, reflective participation, and genuine dialogue with God and one another? Are you too distracted worrying about what others think of you that you fail to stretch your understanding of God? Do you come willing and ready to grow?
Perhaps it’s time to renew our commitment.
And as I return to the gym, prepared and determined, this time, I know there will be results. That faith keeps me going, and although the change may be slow and difficult, I am glad I joined.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14