Top Ten Things You Never Hear in Church

 

My friend, fellow Hoosier and preaching colleague, Steve Wolfgang often offers some thought provoking posts from various scholars and church historians on his facebook page.

Some time ago, however, he shared a lighter piece by an unknown author that contains a bit of humor, but also may spark some serious reflection about our priorities, commitment and involvement in spiritual matters.

TOP TEN THINGS YOU NEVER HEAR IN CHURCH

10. Hey! It’s my turn to sit in the front pew.

9. I was so enthralled; I never noticed your sermon went 25 minutes over time.

8. Personally I find teaching others about Christ much more enjoyable than golf.

7. I’ve decided to contribute the $500 a month I used to spend on my hobbies.

6. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Bible class.

5. Forget the minimum salary; let’s pay our preacher so he can live like we do.

4. I love it when we sing hymns I’ve never heard before!

3. Since we’re all here, let’s start the service early.

2. Preacher, we’d like to send you to this Lectureship in the Bahamas.

1. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like a good old-fashioned sermon on giving!

Obviously, none of these are an outright indictment accusing anyone of a lack of spirituality. In fact, they don’t have to put us in an either or situation.

One may enjoy golf, yet still possess a desire to share their faith. The Sunday morning worship may not be the best time to introduce a new song. And, of course, the preacher could ramble on, extending a sermon beyond what is reasonable, necessary, or edifying.

Yet, the illustrations do offer an opportunity for personal, spiritual introspection. These 10 questions might help.

How committed are we to Christ?

Has our involvement in material matters dampened our spiritual enthusiasm?

Have we become conformed to this world instead of being transformed?

Am I an encourager of the brethren, or do I look for ways to find fault and criticize?

Are we good stewards of our financial blessings, using them to help others and glorify God?

Are we on fire for the Lord? Or cold? Or merely lukewarm?

Do we prefer the fellowship of God’s people, or our association with those in the world?

Are worship assemblies a time to connect with and worship God, or a routine, religious ritual we observe?

Am I working to develop my skills and abilities to use them in the Lord’s work?

Ate we truly seeking those things which are above or more focused on this earth?

The 10 things you never hear in church and these 10 questions might be summarized with Jesus’ challenge. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Lk. 9:23)

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman