A place to belong where everyone knows your name is more than a tag line for a popular TV show. It is the heart's desire and an important component of a healthy, happy, well-balanced life. Many social, civic, educational, and hobby clubs encourage participation, at least in part, on this basis.
However, no other group delivers the depth and durability of relationship as the church, especially through corporate worship and small groups that emphasize spiritual formation through study, serving others in and outside of the church, and personal transformation into people who are like Jesus Christ.
Many, many blessings are missed when worship and transformational small groups are treated as an add-on in life, rather than an essential ingredient. An add-on is when you go out for ice cream and opt for sprinkles, nuts, or something else in the mix. Car models begin with a base model and allow you to add on with additional levels of trim. Most restaurants price a main entrée and charge extra for appetizers, additional vegetables, and dessert, a.k.a., add-ons. You can enjoy the core item or experience without anything additional even though they enhance the experience.
Some people think that worship and interactive relational small groups are not necessary at all, much less desirable add-ons. Really? A single worshipper may not be able to carry a tune in the shower, but they can experience joy being in the middle of those singing their love to God. Depression makes worship difficult, but hope often springs forth when in the midst of worshippers. Alone I intend to develop my relationship with God through prayer, reading the Bible, and serving others. Unfortunately, intention more often does not lead to action without the teaching and encouragement that comes in worship and the fellowship of a small group.
It was the practice of Jesus to worship in the synagogue every week. The book of Acts pictures the early church gathering on Saturdays for synagogue worship, on Sundays to celebrate "the Lord's Day," and from house to house. Are not these authoritative examples? If the faith, works, power, and joy of these earliest Christians are desirable, does it not follow that emulation of their practices is necessary?
John Wesley believed in transformational small groups so deeply he required Methodists to attend weekly. How can you "watch over each other in love" unless you spend time together? Instead of leaving one church for another, Wesley's class (small group) meetings were places and times to mend quarrels and develop healthy relationships. How do you know if someone is telling you the truth, e.g. spending time with their family, spouse, or friends; studying their Bible and praying; participating in ministry to others unless you spend enough time with them to observe their life and the certain evidences that follow from their actions? Kevin Watson writes "class meeting is a small group that is primarily focused on transformation and not information, where people learn how to interpret their entire lives through the lens of the gospel, build a vocabulary for giving voice to their experience of God, and grow in faith in Christ."
Not gathering with others to love and praise God, give time and money for the sake of others, be taught the Word, listen for His voice, and encouraged to respond leads to the same result as not gathering with others in a transformational small group; drift.
A pastor in colonial America went to the home of a member not seen in church for quite some time. He opened the door and saw the one long-absent sitting in front of the fire. Walking to the hearth without uttering a word he bent down and pulled one of the glowing embers from the middle of the fire and left it on the periphery. In moments the coal began to cool and darken. The pastor left and the absentee parishioner was in worship the next Sunday to fan the flames of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
How is your life in God? Are you too busy for God? Worship and small group are essential to a deep quality of life.
-- Dr. Randy Rowlan is pastor of First United Methodist Church. Comments are welcomed at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Religion on 09/14/2016