03/06/23
By Pastor Vinnie Cappetta
"I Am Not Getting What I Want Out of Church"
Arms crossed, the couple sat in my office complaining, “Pastor, Vinnie… we don’t know what to do. No one in this church cares about us… no one has ever invited us to their home to get to know us. We aren’t sure if this is the right church for us anymore.” Before I had the chance to decide whether or not it was the right thing to say, the words were already out of my mouth, “Have you ever invited anyone in the church over to your house? the Bible says, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly.” Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)
This reminds me of another couple who opened up their home for the very first home group that I ever had the privilege of leading. After a couple of weeks, they explained to me that they didn’t think this group was right for them. They thought the rest of the group members were more mature and that they would be able to learn from us, but after getting to know us, they didn’t think they could learn from us. My response? “Maybe this group isn’t about what you can get out of it, but what you can give to it.”
The Bible commands us to show hospitality and amazing things can happen when we do. As we worked through Hebrews 13, Pastor Joe encouraged us to cherish the fellowship that we have in Christ because the church is a gift that Christ purchased for us. He pointed us to Hebrews 13:2 which says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels, unawares.”
- Do you feel like people in the church could be more welcoming? Take it upon yourself to be more welcoming.
- Do you think that people in the church should be more mature? Perhaps God is calling you to share what you’ve learned with those who are a step or two behind you spiritually.
- Is there something else you want to get out of church that you are not getting right now?
Bottom line: be the change that you want to see in your church. No matter what our American Christian culture may have taught you, the church isn’t about what you can get out of it but what you can put into it. You might even entertain an angel in the process. I can make you a promise… if you cherish the fellowship of the church that Jesus has purchased for you, you will get something out of it. You might not get exactly what you are looking for, but you will get what you need.
