Friday, March 6, 2015

Gathering Together in Church

I mentioned last week that we're gearing up for a busy season of traveling and being visited in our home. One person mentioned that it sounds like we run a tourism business out of our home. And, this is true. We love having people over and showing them places they either haven't seen before or spending time with them in our home. And, because most come on Saturday and leave late on Sunday, we take them to church.
Bet you didn't expect that huh? Neither do they, usually. Despite getting an itinerary with "Church" written on it.
Like we're joking.

Some of our guests don't like this, saying they came to see Manhattan, not a pulpit. A few love it, and then there are the majority who are fine attending as a novelty. A one-time fee they pay us for free room-a-board in a place where a hotel room is expensive. But since most of our visitors say that they are Christians, (they tend to be of the non-practicing, non-fruitbearing variety) it's not surprising they don't attend services, hear the preaching of the Word, or have church family. And they defend this tooth and nail, telling us all about how church membership is not required, and they are happy to be homeless Christians.

You might not believe you are sinning by being a homeless Christian, but you are being unwise and not heeding the Word on this matter.
Ephesians 5:19 
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
Colossians 2:2 
that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ
1 Corinthians 12:12 
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
Going to church on Sundays, attending bible studies, meeting with other women for coffee and even having them as Facebook friends has drastically improved my walk with the Lord. Before finding a church family to worship with- I had only a few areas in my life dedicated to God. Bible reading in the morning, prayer before meals and before bed. But when you are enjoying the company of other godly women and listening to biblical preaching- it's a support network, a blessing we are given from God, to help us be comforted in our Christian walk.

For those who attend with us and are not regenerated, we pray that God reaches them that day or in the future. 
And for those who are homeless Christians, we hope to instill a sense of longing. A desire to have a loving family of believers, where at least once a week we can run and seek refuge. This is not a Christian world, and while you can't 'loose your faith' once you truly have it, you will be severely limited in your growth by being a homeless Christian.

So tell me....
Were you ever a homeless (and proud) Christian like I was?
Do you have guests over, and take them to church?
How have you seen personal growth since finding a church family?


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18 comments:

  1. Farin, I enjoy your straight-forward blogging about your faith. We are actually meeting some friends, who are visiting here in town at one of the hotels, at church on Sunday. Then we will go to lunch afterward.

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    1. Lunch is always a great motivator to the hesitant ;) Thanks for saying hi Linda!

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  2. Farin, thanks for your honesty and I have been "guilty" of this lately... I have not been in "regular" fellowship and lax in my regular church attendance... and truly there is nothing like being in WORSHIP AND THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD DURING CORPORATE WORSHIP and being taught the word! Thanks for this reminder -

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    1. I think it feels so good immediately while there and afterwards, but the commitment can scare people from returning long enough to form lasting relationships and feel apart of the church. And, society has taught so much on the idea of commitment to anyone/thing being bad, and opting out is just so easy.

      But the benefits are so plentiful, I'd like to encourage you to challenge yourself to attend every Sunday. Set a date, like May. 8 Sundays aren't much, but will add up to lasting fellowship and benefits from hearing the word preached.

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  3. What a sweet thing to do...taking your guests to church! We always take our family guests to church...but the ones that pop by for Central Florida Disney/beach trips...not so much. We should! You've inspired me to be brave and take them anyway. What a good outreach...and God loves it when we enter his house. We have taken neighbors before...and it is interesting that they seem uncomfortable but willing. Sometimes all you need to do is ask. I hope you have a wonderful day in NY! Your FMF FL friend, Jenn

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    1. It's rough, I'll admit. Of course, if anyone objects I won't drag them kicking to the church. Since anyone that visits lets me set up an itinerary and be their tour guide, I mention prior that we're attending and remind them on Saturday evening. And in the morning, when they don't want to wake or go, I let them know they have two options- come with us, or go explore on their own. Which for us in NYC, option one works most of the time since the city can be somewhat intimidating to learn on your own.

      Give it a shot.... worst they can say is no thanks :)

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  4. I absolutely LOVE that you take your guests to church!! I am yet another example of a homeless Christian for over 20 years, simply because I didn't FEEL like I belonged in the churches I attempted to go to. That is why I am so passionate about Christians being accepting and loving people RIGHT where they're at.

    Once I found a church I felt completely comfortable in, my walk with the Lord THRIVED and grew with biblical teachings, fellowships and amazing support that I truly love and need. It's amazing how nourishing church can be, if you find the right one.

    So grateful I did!

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    1. This practice has really only been in act these past 2 years, and in that time our guests have mainly been enthusiastic church goers or the 'novelty' Christians who attend because they don't want to say no. This summer I'm having a handful of non-Christian and novelty Christians from my college days come for a mini-reunion. And I'm a little worried that they will be upset but then again, my house my rules right?

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  5. When I recently moved out on my own again, I didn't have a church family for a couple of months. There were a lot of weekends that I went home to visit parents and I would just go to church with them, since I hadn't found one in my new city. But, to be honest, for a couple of months I just didn't search. I didn't know where I wanted to go or what churches to visit. Visiting churches by myself was SO intimidating, but I knew I needed a church home. And I wanted a place to grow. Thankfully, the Lord has led me to that place now and I'm happy to have a new church family that is growing. I love the idea of taking guests/friends/family to church with me if they visit. Whenever I visit my sister I always go with her if I don't have to leave super early. But, when people are visiting me, I always like to offer up the invitation. That might just be the thing they need, the encouragement, to find their own church again. What a great witness and testimony you've shared!

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    1. Thanks for sharing Jess! I agree, I'd never want to have them say we didn't offer, or make anyone say they didn't feel wanted at church. And whenever we're on vacation we love visiting church and try and find a good church online prior to arriving so the hassle is taken care of before landing at the destination :)

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  6. We do the very same thing with our guests. We have some family members that really need to hear the message of Christ so we "surprise" bring them too.

    I have been a homeless Christian in the past and in our early marriage , we seldom went. Ironically, once we were pregnant with our first, it all of a sudden became a priority.

    This is yet another great post! It's a great reminder that we belong in the community of other believers. Thanks!

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    1. Right at the beginning of our first pregnancy was when we found our church as well. Interesting how that is such a common trigger, to become a more stable Christian with that foundation to lean on (guess that we knew we would need it!)

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  7. I think your idea is wonderful. When I was growing up, going to church wouldn't have been questioned. This is a great testimony to all your visitors!

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    1. Agreed! Church was always a given, unless you were able to get others sick or the roads were impassable. Lucky for us, we have the sermons uploaded on Sermon Audio so we can still listen. Ah, technology...

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  8. Love that you do this. We haven't really had any visitors (probably helps to have an extra bed), but my sis in law and hubby are coming this month (Hello Aerobed!) and they asked to go to church with us so it makes it easy. I've never heard the term "homeless Christian" before!!

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    1. Haha, well I just called it that, maybe it's a term and I subconsciously absorbed it? Not sure, but it sounds good to me :)

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  9. Hi Farin, I love what you do. How awesome are you?! I am praying for all the homeless Christians - that they find homes. I love your heart towards them in this message. Cheering you from the Purposeful Faith #RaRalinkup!

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    1. Thanks for saying hi Kelly, and have a good Monday!

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