First, I’d like to define what a church is: a local assembly of believers in Jesus Christ. For a little bit about why a local assembly and it’s regular assemblage is important, see A Few Things on Church.
Now for the rest of what I want to say about church, from the notes I take whenever I hear or see something important that I want to remember.
Any tradition you observe that is divorced from the truth of God – whether the tradition is old or new – is a tradition of men and not of God. It might draw a crowd, but it won’t draw the Holy Spirit.
Church isn’t just for receiving, it is for giving. Be thankful for all the people in your life that have pastored, taught, discipled, and mentored you, and recognize that this is at some point your job, too. You’re not the only person who needs discipleship and mentorship; there are people you can relate to and help along too! And remember, mentoring and discipling aren’t just sitting and teaching in a formal setting, it is also and mostly interactions and living out God’s will and ways in your day to day life.
When we tell each other prayer requests in church, it’s not to notify God. God isn’t surprised at all. Prayer requests are so we can pray. Prayer is important, and we should all be engaging in prayer corporately and individually for each other.
Disharmony in a church leads to defeat outside it.
A church can be compared to a ship with sails and oars. Each member of the crew needs to be doing their job and doing it together, otherwise the boat isn’t going anywhere or it isn’t going anywhere efficiently.
Other churches aren’t competition, they’re other boats in the same navy. We Christians might not all be doing the same thing, but we are all on the same team.
Christianity is not for good people, it is for sinners. We Christians are following the One who is good.
We should not be attached to a church because of the programs it provides but because of the truth it proclaims!