At one of our family lunches, I saw something amazing happen. Some good friends joined us with their two boys, ages 2 and 5. All the Bonhams piled into the house for lunch. You can imagine the “energy.” Two tables of eating, toys everywhere, ping-pong – it was awesome. My grandson, Jax, started walking about a month a ago. When he saw the two boys hustling around the house, he wanted to join in. He actually walked faster, moved quicker just trying to keep up with them. He wanted to be “one of the boys.”

Why church? After taking my first weekend off in five months and enjoying a week away from the office, I was ready to get back to church. I missed the time of worshipping together with the congregation and the solid teaching of God’s word. “You don’t have to go to church for that.” I totally agree. Yet, there is something that happens when you join in with others who are growing in Christ. You become like Jax at our house that day – you are growing with others and can do it in community and relationship. No one is perfect at church but we are all growing. From the smallest iota of interest in God to the one who comes totally wide open to what God is doing, people come to church because they realize that God is the hope they need in their life.

The relationship part is two-edged. After twenty-five years of ministry, I can honestly say the “community” part of church is a challenge and a blessing. There are times where all the people situations can be tough. I have learned boundaries are essential to recognizing what I can and cannot do. Most of the time, people are amazing. Even yesterday, talking with a lady whose husband is in the hospital and a family whose son was in a car accident, it crystalized why church. We need each other. I can’t do life alone and expect to survive. Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 NLT “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” “Real trouble” takes on many forms – so does “helping each other succeed.” Church provides an environment for people to gather together and grow in their relationship with God.

That day, Jax was moving to keep up with the boys. Is it time for you to move another step closer to God by getting into community at church?