Does Your Church Make You Uncomfortable?

Ever wonder if you spend too much time at church?

Before I have pastors and priests clamoring to silence me let me explain the question a bit.

Many people myself included feel that going to church means the obligatory Sunday mass and maybe a Wednesday night all depending.

There is nothing wrong with this model and many parishes spend a great deal of money to make you comfortable when you attend.  Instead of  church being held where people may gather. We build great buildings, shrines which invite people to come inside however, is that where we are called to be?

Comfortable pews, great worship music,  a dynamic preacher and likely air conditioning of some sort sounds like church right? Is this is a place that will get you to be uncomfortable while providing coffee and donuts?  Probably not.

Imagine attending church outside on a mountain top. Maybe in a field with hundreds of your best friends. Perhaps church is on the beach at daybreak as you baptize one another in the vast ocean.

Does not really sound like the church you know does it?

Where two or more are gathered as long as they are comfortable, not sure that’s how I read it. I don’t believe Jesus asked John to meet him six weeks from now after we meet with the high priest so you can then pour a little water on my head. Not sure there were too many magnificent ornate cathedrals or temples he preached in either.

We were asked to follow him and to make disciples. We were asked to take care of the widows and orphans and the least of these. No where does it say buy more clothes, shoes or technology than you can ever use. It does not even say to disciple to other believers at your coffee social. We are asked to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

All nations wow what a directive, we are asked to go to all nations, nations that have yet to know Christ and make disciples. This means going to India, Asia, Africa, Hispaniola and more to share the gospel and baptize new believers. What a humbling yet clear statement that as believers we are to follow and do so willingly.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” ~ John 13:34-35

Getting out of your comfort zone can be a life changing experience. Recently I was honored to attend a church service in a tin shack in the mountains of Haiti. I was asked to get uncomfortable and it was beautiful. Since that experience I have felt more compelled to do God’s calling than ever before. I never really understood what it meant to be called, until I heard His voice and was obedient.

How do you carry out the gospel in your daily life? Do you serve in your local community? Are you one of the chosen to go out to all nations and make disciples? I would love to hear your story of how you have been called to serve and became uncomfortable. Share below so that others may live and learn from your experience.