Watching versus playing

In our church, just because a person comes and attends on a Sunday morning, does not a member make.

Membership is a step beyond attendance. 

It is a commitment to a local body of believers, a commitment that God takes just as seriously as the marriage vows someone takes on the day of their wedding.

(BTW, our next membership class begins on March 5th - contact Pastor Aldin or Debbie Smith for details - in our church office).

To become a member is like the difference between someone playing in the Super Bowl, and someone watching on television at home.

Last Sunday evening, millions upon millions of spectators watched the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots.

Plans were made for that night, in some cases, weeks in advance.

For approximately three hours of great intensity, you and I watched as 106 men on the field (53 team members on each side) went into battle for a chance to be world champions.

We watched, and booed, and cheered, and critiqued and praised as the game was played.

When the game was over, we as fans went back to business as usual - only our clothes did not get dirty, our bodies had no bruises or bumps.

There is a big difference between being in the stands and being on the field.

Let me put it this way - Jesus has a lot of fans, right?  People who want to show up and see what is going on.  Folks who want to critique, analyze, or cheer.  Folks who, when all is said and done, much more is said than done.

They don't exert much energy.

In church life, there are those who are quick to analyze how the folks on the field are doing.

They analyze privately by getting on the phone or talking to friends, not understanding that there is a huge difference between sitting in the stands of the living room and being on the field.

It is easy for a person to ask why a play is not made when they are not the ones running the ball (I have people ask me all the time, "why aren't we seeing more people saved at Stone Church" - when the reality of it is that the person asking the question hasn't led someone to Christ in years).

It is easy for a person to blame a player for not executing when they are not on the field staring opposition in the face.  The view from the field is a lot different from the view in the stands.

I encourage all of us to be participants!  Don't just be a spectator!

Consider joining the church!  Consider be a part of the team!  Consider being a part of the greatest enterprise this world has ever seen (or will seen) the growth of God's Kingdom!

Just a thought for a Thursday