When you were growing up, did your family go to church? Were you dragged there? Was church fun for you? Or…dreaded?! If you dreaded church, then you need to find God in humor: the way church used to be.
At the bottom of this article you’ll find a wonderful video by humorist Kelly Swanson. She had me laughing with memories! Yes, I was dragged to church as a youngster. But I never had the gumption to fake the flu! We went to church Sunday mornings but I know some of my friends were in church Sunday evenings, Wednesday evenings, and eight or nine other evenings of the week as well.
I do have to admit church can be a lot more fun these days. I do often go in my blue jeans. In fact, I always wear blue jeans when I ride my motorcycle to church, which is as often as possible in the warmer months in Colorado.
I’ve had some bad experiences with church, even as an adult. In the thirty years we’ve been married, my husband and I have moved to a new town five times and so have gone looking for a new church five times. Most of the time, it has been surprisingly difficult to find a good church for us to attend. But I have learned a few things about what to look for. Here are some hints:
- Look around. How many people carry their own Bible into church with them? Most of them should. This tells you this church cares about teaching out of the Bible which, in my opinion, is the Number One most important thing for a church to do.
- Do they open the Bible, read from it, and talk about what it says? I’ve been to many churches that pray and sing and do a lot of things, but never talk about the Bible—even in the sermons. This is a bad sign. I suggest you find another church.
- Are the people friendly and genuinely interested that you are there? I’ve attended churches for weeks where not one person spoke to me. A church is not a social club, but it is important to build relationships and study God’s Word together. If this isn’t happening naturally, something is wrong.
- Does this church reach outside to others?
It’s not wrong to search for another church. Find a church that challenges you to go deeper into God’s Word, which is the Bible. Regularly attend a church that helps those who attend grow in their knowledge and understanding of God.
As our country and our world face ever-deepening challenges in economies, violence, war, social issues, and many other concerns, it’s important to find our strength in God daily. (See Samuel 23:16.)
A good church helps people do this. But if that seems too heavy right now, take a moment to find God in humor: the way church used to be.
Enjoy this video: Wipe That Smile Off Your Face, This is Church by Kelly Swanson
Copyright ©Dianne E. Butts ( www.delivermebook.blogspot.com). Dianne has over 275 articles and short fiction in more than fifty publications and eighteen books, and is a regular contributor to Finding God Daily.
