A Fire Burning High

Hello all, I guess I'll start off by introducing myself. I'm Sam Choate, I live in Texas with the rest of my family, and lead worship for my youth group. If you're really interested in knowing more, then just ask, or check out my profile, I guess.

So, here...we...GO:

I woke up today discontent. Why should I wake up every Sunday morning and dread going to church? I'll try to answer this in the least offensive way possible, and let me also begin by saying I have a huge amount of respect for the people that do their part within my church, and all other churches of The Almighty One.

I'm thankful that there is nowhere in the Bible that says "This IS worship... This is NOT...". God made everyone individual and in that gave us the opportunity to praise Him in our individual ways.

This also happens to be one problem in many, if not all, churches. Everyone wants it their way! But we have to compromise, so some people are unhappy no matter what happens.

I attend First Baptist Church of Crane in Texas, where I grew up. I'll go ahead and say there are problems here, just like any church. I just happen to be more familiar with the ones here because I've been attending for the last 3 years. We have a pretty high attendance rating, so numbers aren't our problem, but maybe we need to look at a different set of numbers. How many of the people there every Sunday morning get something out of it? How many people show up with a broken heart expecting comfort and acceptance and don't find it? Let me just say that the majority of people going after Jesus need Him for a reason, not just because they're bored. He offers love and a grace so profound, the only word to describe it is "indescribable".

Too long have I watched people walk in to church and walk out with the exact same expression on their faces. Where is the happiness? Where is the joy that shines so plentifully out of Jesus' very presence?

Nowhere in the Bible does it say "the people then stared blankly at the pastor in worship". The people are either dancing and singing or they're bowing their heads and kneeling in submission to the LORD! So, when did church become a hassle? When did loving become a chore? Where did the phrase "Done my deeds for the day" come from? Maybe Mark, Matthew, Luke AND John were all busy when Jesus said, "To get to heaven you must do 5 good deeds a week!" When did we put a limit on the love we show one another?

The problem doesn't come from a certain type of music played, or how many people show up in the morning. If anyone shows up to church that's a miracle in itself. The death of a church comes when people turn an infinitely compelling and living God into a boring and lifeless subject. Whose fault is it? Everyone's. I said it, no one is without blame.

If anyone reads this, awesome. If not, I'll still write, because I enjoy it. Leave a comment with your thoughts on the subject. In order to change anything we need unity!

-Sam