The church is a place where you can be loved, encouraged, and supported. It's a community that encourages you to be the best version of yourself. The way we do this is through each other. We love one another by being in community together. But sometimes things happen that make it hard for people to come back to church—maybe they've been hurt by someone here or they just feel like they're not welcome anymore. If this describes you, there is hope! Come back!
There is an intimacy that comes with being in a church where you know people.
Being in a community with people you know is an important part of church. It’s the place where you feel like you belong and where you can be yourself.
It’s also a place where your friends and family are, which makes it easier to get out of bed on Sundays when Sundays are tough for everyone.
Being at home in your church helps build stronger relationships with other people who share similar beliefs as you do, but also encourages them to reach out to those who don't share their beliefs as well.
You can only experience and express love for others by being with them.
In the world, we have a tendency to go through the motions of life and move on. We don't stop and listen to what others are experiencing because we're so focused on our own lives that we forget how important it is to be present with each other. The world needs your light right now. Your community needs you right now. There's a place for everyone here; it's okay not to be okay, but let’s talk about how we can help you find it together!
Social media is strongly defining, what personal relationships are. More and more, people are opting for relationships through likes and views, and friending each other through the various social media apps. Social media has its place, but it will not replace the physical interactions that we so desperately need to be whole.
God wants us to be unified as a body, not scattered around and doing our own thing.
When you are united in Christ, you are united with other Christians. God wants us to be unified as a body, not scattered around and doing our own thing. God wants us to be one in Christ and one in the Spirit. We are all called to be "one" with each other. John 17:21 (KJV) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
In Ephesians 4:3-6, Paul tells us how this unity is achieved: there is only one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called; just as you were called with one voice—so that your hearts may be made complete in harmony with each other. Ephesians 4:1-6 (KJV)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Our Church, like many others, is a place of preparation. The tools, strategies, decisions, and character forming tests prepares us for eternal life. What we become in fellowship at church is what we will be throughout eternity. Therefore, it is necessary that we go through the hard lessons and the struggles that make us sons and daughters of God.
There are times when the message from the pulpit will directly apply to your circumstances, and you will need other believers around you in order to process it.
When the message is directly relevant to your life, you'll want to be sure that you're able to process it with other people. If it's a difficult situation that needs healing, it will be easier for you if there are others around who can give advice and support. Likewise, when dealing with any other issues in life, having others around who can help you understand the message and apply it will make all the difference in how much power that word has on your heart and mind.
You don't have full access to your brothers' and sisters' spiritual gifts until you're together as a body.
When you're not in a church, you don't have full access to your brothers' and sisters' spiritual gifts. In other words, as a single Christian, you may feel that God has given you something to do for him, but if no one else around you can use what you've been given or if they refuse to acknowledge it at all because they only know how to do things the way they do them (and this is natural), then the work of your spiritual gift will be frustrated until such time as it becomes part of the body.
The body is stronger when everyone is doing what God has called them to do for Himself.
As Christians we need each other! Come back to church!
As Christians we need each other!
* The world needs your light. You were made for so much more than what this world offers, and you have something to offer the world that will change it forever.
* We cannot be a family without you. You are part of our community, and we need you in our church family. Your friends and family here are waiting for you to come back home.
* Your community needs you! We are not perfect people, but we want to help each other grow in faith together with God as our guide—and we need your voice along the way!
* There's a place for everyone here: Whether or not you've been baptized before or think of yourself as an "ex-Christian," there is something unique about every person in our congregation–and regardless of how much faithfulness or goodness has been present in their lives up until now–we can all learn from one another by sharing our gifts with each other openly and generously (Romans 12).
The world needs your light.
As followers of Christ, we are responsible to be the light of the world. We must reflect Christ's light so that others may see Him in us.
Our world is dark and full of peril, but Jesus said that we would be His witnesses through our words and deeds. The world needs to see Christ in you; the world needs your light.
We cannot be a family without you.
The church is a family, and you are an important member of that family. Your presence and role in the church cannot be replaced by another person; your gifts are unique. You are needed.
The same way we take care of our bodies, we have to take care of our spiritual lives as well. And just as we can’t live without food, water and shelter—we also need God’s body (the church) to help us grow stronger spiritually so that we can become more like Christ.
Your community needs you.
You are part of the church family. You are part of the community. You are part of the world. You are part of God’s family. Your life is not your own, but belongs to God and others in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The purpose for which we live is to serve others and advance His kingdom through our gifts and talents (Matthew 20:26-28). We can all do this by being on mission together as followers of Jesus Christ!
There's a place for everyone here.
You are not alone, and there is a place for you in Jesus Christ’s church!
It's okay not to be okay, we can help.
You're not alone. We are all in this together, and we can help each other get through it.
We understand you might not be able to come back right now, but when you are ready we will be here to listen to you and pray for you. We want to provide support in whatever way possible so that you can find a solution that works best for your situation.
Coming back to church is the best thing you can do for yourself, your family, and this community.
The most important thing to remember when you come back to church is that it’s not about being perfect. No one expects you to be perfect, and Jesus isn’t looking for perfection either. He wants you as you are. He will cause perfection in you through your continued relationship with Him. And that happens on His time clock through your obedience. You can come back to church knowing that Jesus died for your sins, and as long as you believe in him, he will save your soul and forgive all of your sins no matter how bad they are.
There are many reasons why it's a good idea for people who have left the Church or don't attend regularly anymore to return:
* The only way we can go to heaven is through Jesus Christ Acts 4:12 (KJV) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved., so if you're going anywhere else then hell is definitely where you'll end up! This means that having an intimate relationship with God should be our top priority. Matthew 6:33 (KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. We need friends like this who can help us live godly lives because there's no way we could do it ourselves - after all, none of us are perfect without Christ living in us and through us! Galatians 2:20 (KJV) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I want you to come back to church. I'm praying that this message will find its way into your heart and change your mind about how important it is for Christians to be together. There are many reasons why people leave their churches, but I believe that most of those reasons are rooted in selfishness—we don't have time or money anymore because we're too busy with our own lives. However, the most important thing right now is not what's happening in our lives but rather what God wants us to do as his people: come back!
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