Secrets of a Lifelong Church Goer

I’m a professional church goer.

I don’t mean that in a bad way. I’m serious. I’ve been going to church for as far back as I can remember.

It doesn’t matter what style of service it is, the odds are I’ve been there and seen it.

Traditional church? Check. Contemporary worship? Check. TV church? Seen it. Online church? Clicked it. Morning church? Evening church? Midweek service? Check, check and check.

I’m an expert church goer. And as a pro, I’d like to share some church secrets  I’ve picked up along the way.

1. Don’t be fooled by the name. In other words, not every “church” is a church.  This tip is so obvious it’s for beginners. A steeple and a name doesn’t make a building a church. Do your homework before you walk through the doors. It helps to know.

2. You don’t have to go to church to meet God, but it sure helps to go. Listen, if you’re a Christian the Spirit of God is in you. You can talk to Him 24/7. But church was God’s idea and I’ll stick to it.  If you’re going through a season where you can’t sense God’s presence, start by going to church. It helps to go.

3. The Bible they use at church is the same as the one you have at home . Isn’t it uncanny how the pastor can open the Bible on Sunday morning and you’ve got the answers to your questions? Well that same Bible that promises direction and answers and strength is waiting for you to open it 6 other days a week. It helps to read it.

4. Church is like a family – the more you know the people the weirder they seem. I’ve already shared my church credentials, so I can confidently make the assertion that the more you get to know the folks in your church the weirder they will all seem! Be quick to forgive and slow to criticize. It helps to love. 

5. Church doesn’t get easier with time. Being a pro at church doesn’t mean going to Church gets easier. Think of Brett Favre in his sunset years. The more experience you have, the bigger the baggage, and the higher the expectations. Check your baggage at the door. It helps to give grace.

6. You can’t tell just by looking if someone is a Christian. That’s the strangest thing of it all. You’d think that my church experience would have made me a genius at picking out Christians by now. It doesn’t. At the end of the day, worry first about yourself, and have conversations that matter.  It helps not to judge.

7. You don’t go to church to meet a guy. This is a freebie. Don’t confuse church with eharmony. Going to church to meet a guy is like going to medical school to make money. There are easier ways to do it!!  The truth is that you go to church to worship God.  But if you happen to be sitting next to a good looking single guy, give him my number. It helps to help.

Well anyone who goes to church knows that the number 7 is a holy number, so I’m going to stop while I’m ahead.

Got any other church secrets? Share them in the comments section.

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