Coffee With The Lord

It seems churches today are very interested in what attracts people to their services and participation in their programs and ministries. Some have referred to churches that prioritize this concern as “attractional churches”

“The attractional church seeks to reach out to the culture and draw people into the church. Attractional churches design their services and programs in such a way as to “attract” attendees. A primary focus of an attractional church is to attract congregants to worship services.” (From GotQuestions.org)

Consequently many have given attention to the preferences of the broader culture… They have, adjusted music, lighting, stage accouterments, and the attire of those on the stage to appeal to the broader culture. Sermons and Bible studies (“talks”) are crafted and delivered to appeal to “guests.” Buildings are constructed and furnished with the needs (and interests) of the “outsider” in focus. Everything is examined with the goal of attracting “guests” to their services and ministries.

Question is however… Are these things what primarily attract people to gravitate to a church and become “followers of Christ” – are these the things they truly looking for in a “church?” What is it that truly makes a church – a fellowship of believers – “attractional?”

This morning I read a passage in Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that focuses on two key summarizing elements that, I believe if followed, would make a church authentically and powerfully “attractional”. Both address the behavior and attitude of its members, more than its accessories and activities, and both are articulated as warnings. Here they are:

1. Give no opportunity to the devil.
2. Be careful not to do, say, or entertain anything that would grieve the Holy Spirit.

Here’s the passage: Just Imagine the impact of a congregation within a community whose members exhibit the following characteristics…Therefore, putting away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor! We are members one of another! Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. GIVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO THE DEVIL! Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. AND DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (From Ephesians 4:25-32)

I believe the summarizing elements I’ve identified encompass what this passage addresses. I believe they are keys, often neglected, that will truly make a church “attractional” – NOT the building, NOT the programs, NOT so much what takes place on the “stage” – instead the quality and character of the people!

I was out on my daily “prayer run” this morning and had a wonderful experience! Not 8 feet from me on the top of a fence post was a songbird (wish I would have had my camera along!) He completely ignored me, lifted his head to the heavens, opened his beak and sang a beautiful song of praise to his Maker!

Oh, it was beautiful and completely without restraint! I paused, and spoke these words to the Lord… “Oh may my worship of You be as unrestrained as this birds and as pleasing to Your ears as this birds worship has been to mine!”

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre!

For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy!”  (From Psalm 92:1–4 ESV)

I’m from Montana and am fortunate to have a cabin, along with my brother, just 10 miles from the entrance to Glacier National Park – “the Alps of America!” I love the mountains and hiking to beautiful spots. Few things are as uplifting to me as a vista point where the panorama of beautiful peaks, valleys, streams and lakes are spectacular!
Well this morning I reached one of the incredible, spectacular vista points in the Bible – Ephesians 3:20-21!!!

I’ll quote it in a bit, but first let me take you on a journey – a hike, so to speak – until we reach that spectacular vista point…

First, we are “blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus” (1:3-14) Pretty spectacular in its own right!
Then, our guide, Apostle Paul, pauses and prays that we’ll grasp everything that is ours “in Christ Jesus” … our hope, our inheritance (or His inheritance in us), and the immeasurable greatness of His power at work within us who believe (1:15-23).

Then on to the next spot on our spiritual journey… the wonderful transformation that God is working in us who are saved by His grace (2:1-11). And not just us personally but what He has done (and is doing) among all of us – Jew and Gentile – who are “in Christ!” We are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and member of the household of God – actually growing into a holy temple in the Lord, a dwelling place for God by His Spirit!” (2:11-22)

The next spot on this journey… A “mystery” revealed! … Apostle Paul declares that “Gentiles” are “fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel!” Hey, all people – Jew and Gentile – are included in God’s wonderful plan and promises!!!

Now we’re getting close to the pinnacle – the vista point – where we’ll see it all!!! But first, our guide, Apostle Paul pauses and prays again… That we would be strengthened (empowered) within, that Christ would be “at home” in our hearts, that we would be established in and grasp God’s incredible, infinite love, and that we would be filled with all of God’s fullness!!! … Wow! Wonderful!!

Then, Paul steps to the peak! – the absolutely incredible vista point – and he explodes in worship with these words of assurance… “NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN ALL THAT WE CAN ASK OR THINK, ACCORDING TO THE POWER AT WORK WITHIN US – TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS FOREVER AND EVER! AMEN!”

Now I’ve seen some incredible sights in Glacier National Park – places that inspired me to worship God! But I would have to say, Ephesians 3:20-21 tops them all! Thank you, Apostle Paul for taking me on that journey! I’m glad I took the hike – the journey of following Jesus!