Discipleship Wellness Check-Up Time
Now that we are deep into Ordinary Time (the ___th Sunday after Pentecost), the focus in the gospel lessons is less on the life of Jesus and more on the teachings of Jesus that apply directly to us. It is during this time that we are challenged with passages like "take up your cross and follow me" and stories of people who succeed and fail at what it truly means to be a disciple.
Truth be told, discipleship is more give than get – at least on this side of the grave. We know that eternal life in Jesus is without measure or price, but that doesn't excuse us from lives of faithful discipleship here on earth.
This month, we're going to do a series of check-ins to see how we're doing on the path to follow Jesus. This is a judgement-free zone; your answers and what you choose to do about it are between you and God. Our hope is that you are called and convicted into a deeper life of prayer, worship, study, service, and giving.
This week's question: Are we getting more than we give as a part of our church community? In other words, are we more a consumer or a contributor? Think about how many of these statements are true for you:
- Your worship attendance has become optional.
- You have replaced in-person attendance with digital attendance (though we fully understand that some people are unable to attend in-person).
- Your attendance to church activities is declining, or you have stopped attending completely.
- Your attitude toward your church is more critical.
- Your giving has declined or stopped.
- You critique sermons instead of listening prayerfully.
- You see church as a place to meet your needs instead of your meeting the needs of others.
- You have thought about moving to another church because your needs are not being met.
- You get frustrated at what other church members aren’t doing.
- You don’t pray for your church regularly.
The more "true" statements, the more of a consumer you are – generally speaking. As a popular meme on social media says, "Christians aren't consumers. We are contributors. We don't watch. We engage. We give. We sacrifice. We encourage. We pray by laying hands on the hurting. We do life together. The church needs you, and you need the church."
At least four of these statements above are true for me. But, we are all works in progress, and God is continually working on us to make us better people and followers of Jesus. It is especially helpful that we hold each other accountable to "just show up," to support our church, and see what God can do through us.
I'm praying for you, as I hope you're praying for me.
See you in worship!
Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt
Credit to Thom Rainer for the centerpiece of this article. See his full article here.
