Dear Pastor,
It’s a large gathering of people in your congregation so I doubt you will have noticed me. I came to your church excited because I had heard so many good things about it from friends who attended there.
I’ve had a rough time finding a church in which I could worship. Funny, since we live right in the heart of the Bible Belt, with a church on each corner. I didn’t think my desires were unreasonable. I just want a church in which the Bible is taught.
I know where the Bible is being taught, the Gospel of Christ will be preached. Those sweet words of life will be read each Sunday. Each time the church gathers. And the pastor will explain it, it’s context, it’s meaning, it’s importance in our lives even today. And because the pastor studies the Word, and loves it with a passion, so will the people.
In that place where the Bible is central in worship, there will be a heart for worship. People will wake up on Sunday morning excited to have another chance to praise God with brothers and sisters in Christ. The leader of the music will study just as hard as the pastor so that he will be able to find and lead those songs in which the words are powerful, songs that keep coming back during the week, with melodies that are strong and inspire everyone to sing along.
In that church in which the leaders are passionate about preaching the Gospel, teaching the Word of God, the people will be excited about digging into the Bible as well. They won’t be content with “good thoughts to help me through the week.” They will demand substance in their times of study. Even the children will know and happily memorize the Word of God because it is at the heart of everything they do.
With the Word of God at the center of worship, prayer will be imperative. How can one learn about the King of the universe and not take His offer to come before His throne with confidence, bringing our prayers and petitions? And once inhabited by the Holy Spirit Himself, will we not eagerly embrace the Lover of our souls? A people who study the Bible are a people who are unceasing in prayer, as Paul says.
That’s all I wanted. A church that studies the Bible, preaches the Gospel, joins to worship the Holy Author of Creation, sings Bible-infused hymns and songs, and prays with a constant devotion to God, through our great Savior, Jesus.
I’m sorry to say that I did not find any of this at your site, so I will have to keep looking for a church home. I hope you will one day discover the joy of studying and teaching the Word of God. But thank you for the coffee and the danish.
Faith Gym 