When the Church Loses Her Value

Have you noticed that we discard and ignore everything without value? Think about it. The endless junk mail we receive: IGNORED. The lotion evangelists at the mall: NO THANKS. The tele-marketer’s call: GOOD-BYE! The gum wrapper on the sidewalk: INVISIBLE.

It’s human nature. If we don’t perceive value, we’re done. Jesus confirmed this idea when He said, “If salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out a trampled by men.”

So, what happens when the church loses her value to you?

Perhaps, there was once a time when being a part of a church was incredibly meaningful and fulfilling. The perceived value was off the charts. God was changing your heart and moving you in powerful ways; the sense of value even necessitated and demanded a weekly gathering. You looked forward to Sundays because you were growing.

Then something happened. Value changed. Sundays lost her appeal and weekly worship became an empty and meaningless experience when personal growth stagnated.

Value left the building when growth stopped.

Value left the building when growth stopped.

In other words, if your church has become pointless, then perhaps you have stopped growing and taking the relational chances to which God has called you. Maybe you are ignoring God’s revealed will.

If you want your church to have value, you have to become intentional about growth.

Do you honestly believe that the Sunday morning experience IS the church? Do you really expect that God would grow you just by asking you to sing a few tunes and listen to a weekly Jesus rant…really?

Church is NOT the Sunday service. The Church IS the people. And God uses the church to grow you spiritually. The Church is God’s laboratory for becoming like Christ.

When a Christian offends you and you learn to forgive, YOU GROW. When a friend is in sin and you lovingly confront, YOU GROW. When you are alone and you must intentionally reconnect, YOU GROW. When your small group is at war and you must make peace, YOU GROW.

If your church has lost her value, then begin tenaciously chasing God and begin the process of growth once again.