|
CONNECTING
It's important to be and feel connected to your church. Connecting is more than just
about surface friendships and communication. Connecting is experienced through deep relationships,
growing spiritually in a community, and investing in the local expression of Christ's
body - the church.
INITIATIVE
Every year people who "just don't feel connected" drift away from church, but if they
are honest, never made any effort. The Tabernacle is no longer a small church where
the pastors know everyone and can meet everyone's relational needs. It is possible
to come and go invisibly, never being known, cared for or challenged to grow spiritually.
Furthermore, most people want the excellence, programs, budgets and production
associated with a large church, but the "feel" of a small church. This presents
a unique challenge in an increasingly "meet-my-needs" culture.
If you want to connect at the Tabernacle you must take the initiative.
RELATIONSHIPS
Worship services on Sunday are important, but getting to know people, being known,
accepted, and involved are essential to really connecting. Find your "church within
the church," or a group of fellow Christians that know your name and who you can "do life"
with. This can be a network of people in a Bible study, small group, or who you serve
with in a ministry program. If you insist on only being a Sunday attender, this can be
very difficult.
If you want to connect at the Tabernacle, take the initiative to find your church within the church.
GROWING
The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. Deep relationships with other
Christians are key to growing spiritually. Everyone struggles, stumbles and needs
encouragement and care. Being connected with other Christians is where the truth of
the Gospel gets "fleshed out" in our daily lives. Bible studies, prayer groups, classes,
and small groups are offered as opportunities for people to get connected, grow spiritually,
challenge and care for one another.
If you want to connect at the Tabernacle, take the initiative to get involved in a group.
INVESTING
The church is the body of Christ, and we are each called to play a specific role depending on our
unique gifts, talents, abilities and passion. The bonus is that frequently the people who serve
in the local church get the blessing of feeling the most connected within the church. People
who are connected with other Christians relationally and who are growing spiritually, find
it natural to want to invest in their local church by serving. Take the opportunities to
serve in the church, or ask those who are serving now how you can get connected in this way.
If you want to connect at the Tabernacle, take the initiative to serve in a ministry area.
|