What do you get when "Joining a church?"

What do you get when "Joining a church?"

You'll get someone telling you to embrace a church-centered existence. The routine is spelled out - attend the membership classes, attend every scheduled & called meeting, join a "ministry" group, volunteer for service in the organization's programs, etc...etc...etc...

What it has produced in many people (like me that accept "leadership" roles) is a busy schedule. You'll have to check your calendar to find time for people. It'll be filled with appointments, classes, and meetings - important sounding leadership things. In fact, you may find that there is a person in the church that organizes a special church calendar to make sure that everyone else was busy with meetings too.

Personally, I am trying to learn how to be involved in everyday, real-life ways with normal people unrelated to church programs and activities. I still gather frequently with believers. That's easy for me, and I enjoy it. It's not programmed, nor "regularly" scheduled. We allow Jesus to lead us and is in the midst as we exhort and love on each other.

I found out that "church membership" made is difficult for me to develop relationships with people unrelated to church. In fact, if I make myself busy enough with church stuff, I could avoid doing this altogether meaning who, outside of the "church" setting, can I disciple in Christ.

It is easy to embrace the cocoon of a church-centered life, but, I know it was God who messed up this "cozy" part of my life. And He seems to be the one who keeps pushing me towards BEING THE CHURCH in a different way.