Why church?
Sometimes we get to a point in life when we start to take a few things for granted. Just this week, I overheard someone making the statement, “I can’t. I have to got to church tonight…” I can only speak for one person, but I am sure most church goers have made this very statement. Unfortunately, I have to admit that I have said this before, and I have meant it EXACTLY the way it sounds. Just imagine a teenager, eyes rolling… It’s almost like a complaint!
We have church-wide Bible study on Sunday and Wednesday nights. A few people from other churches have questioned and even criticized me for not preaching at every service (I’m getting to my point, I promise). Frankly, the people who come to Sunday and Wednesday night services have been preached to enough, and I think it is more benefiting for everyone that we study. In January 2010, we started studying prophesy (Daniel, Revelation, etc…) mostly relating to the end times. In November (2010), we decided to start at the beginning since we had studied the end. We study verse by verse, and let me just be honest: it is AMAZING! Everyone is encouraged to speak up when something crosses their mind. We help each other learn! We are finally to Genesis 46, and we have found Jesus EVERYWHERE. Joseph has been a great study, and has allowed us to see how Jesus accepts us, forgives us, and reveals Himself to us!
Now, back to the point. I get to hear people testify about how God has changed their life, given them greater understanding, or an illustration to which we can all relate. Here is a sampling of the folks in the crowd (names withheld to protect the ones whom I did not ask if I could use their name 
):
- A retired pastor who served faithfully for almost 40 years. 21 of those years were in our church! He is an inspiration to me, and is always there to help. He walked me through my first funeral as a pastor. He is very wise, and I look up to him!
- A widow who walked with her husband through the process of dying with cancer. She also is very wise, and knows the love of God! She comes up with some great illustrations…some of them find their way to sermons!
- A retired kindergarten teacher who must have the patience of a saint. Not only was she the kindergarten teacher, she is the retired pastor’s wife!
- A widow that lost her husband suddenly, and has family members burdened with health concerns and problems.
- A recent retiree who has a great burden for lost members of her family. She loves being a full-time grandmother.
- A mother of three who has a husband like me…poor gal.
Every single person there has a lifetime of different experiences and encounters with God. I have heard them recount difficult times, good times, times of doubt, and times of fear; but they made it! It is so encouraging for me to get to worship with these people. I believe we keep each other encouraged and keep each other going. I like to go to church; it’s water for my soul!
