Riverwood Presbyterian Church

I really thought this would get a lot of replies, but here goes on the first one.

There are a lot of things that could be said about all of these individually but one thing seems to be true about most of them. Most of these sound like the guy who’s afraid of commitment. A live-in arrangement is okay, but there’s no real obligation if you wanted to leave; nothing like if you were married. That’s true except for #2, of which which I’ll speak directly. Ol’ number 2 doesn’t want even a live-in arrangment. He wants to play the field.

Becoming a Christian requires a commitment. It is not an easy lifestyle. In fact, it is impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. There is a commitment to fellowship and there is a commitment to service. There is especially a commitment to God’s truth; to the Gospel. This commitment requires looking at what churches believe and intellectually (and prayerfully) finding the one that you believe most closely mirrors what you see in God’s word. People (and churches) who believe everything essentially believe nothing.

I was actually surprised to see that I was the first person to respond since this posting was a focus of discussion at choir rehearsal. I never responded during that conversation why you should belong to a church but as I read Tim’s musings and his list of 10 reasons why not to join a church I must respond.

Like reason number 8 provided above, my faith is extremely private relationship with God. God is my Father but I am not an ONLY child. I have millions of bothers and sisters who also have a private relationship with God and a relationship with me. This family of believers has provided me with so many benefits that extend beyond the blessings of a corporate worship service in which we praise God and are reminded of His endless mercies and his precious grace.

In a time of utter despair in my life when I was wearing a mask of happiness to the world and contemplating suicide, I walked into the church after a 10 year absence. See, I was one who felt I did not need a corporate body of believers. I had become “feed up” with the church as a young adult because of all the hypocrisy I saw within the church (point 1). In spite of my disillusionment, I felt compelled to walk back into the church.

Within this body of believers, I found a refuge. The members of Concordia Lutheran Church in Pullman WA accepted me. They did not even know me, yet, they welcomed me with open arms as part of their family. I was starving for love without conditions and I found it. I found peace that I had not known for years. I experienced grace beyond all measures.

I would never have had experienced this if these believers had said… my faith is a private matter between God and me. This body of believers as well as many others have heeded Paul’s exhortation to the Body of Believers at Ephesian “to keep watch over yourselves and all the flock” (Acts 20:28). Which brings us to point #9, there were multiple bodies of early believers, the Ephesians, the Corinthians, the Thessalonians …. but I digress and need to return to my original thoughts on this topic.

U am no longer depressed and suicidal but I still find the same benefits today at Riverwood Presbyterian. This group of believers provide me a refuge once again where I am buffer from the demands and atrocities of the world and focus on the only thing that matters in this world and life … glorifying God. It is a group of believers filled with God’s grace and peace. It is a group of believers that proclaims and practices God’s love without conditions. And, through the Grace of God, I pray that I provide the same benefits to my family.

Are they perfect? Am I perfect? No my friend. We are all Sinners in constant need of God’s forgiveness and boundless grace. We are members of God’s family who support each other and worship our gracious merciful Heavenly Father.

Peace and Grace to you.