I’ve met so many people who feel a desire to be part of the big “c” church – the Church universal. Unfortunately, that most often manifests itself as church hopping. Kinda defeats the purpose of having a congregation filled with natural life-giving give and take as well as accountability.
But at the same time, there’s a sort of beauty in getting to be part of many different churches, seeing the tapestry of diversity that makes up our brothers and sisters in faith.
So how can you join the Church universal without just hopping from one church to the other? Here are a few ideas.
1. Pray for other pastors and congregations.
Whenever you pass a church that looks like it’s struggling or looks like it isn’t something you’d be interested in attending, pray for the church. Pray for the pastor. Pray for the people who sit in the seats. Pray that God would turn them into a powerhouse of outreach and love in the community where God has placed them.
2. Defend other pastors and congregations.
Don’t just pray for the churches, defend them. Whenever a scandal breaks out, choose to assume the best. Not only that, don’t spread the scandal on social media with a smug “SMH”. Defend the church when people are attacking it, and defend the people by offering love and acceptance.
None of our pastors are above scandal. Treat the members of a church who experience a scandal like you would want to be treated. Spread love that covers a multitude of sins.
3. Support missionaries and join efforts of other communities.
Finally, money is one of the most powerful steering wheels for our hearts. If you invest in worldwide and local missions, your heart will be in those things. More than that, you can invest your time in local outreaches that other churches organize. You’ll meet the real movers and shakers in the congregation and get your hands dirty in ministry with them.
The Church is bigger than just one building or just one group of people. We’re part of centuries of believers, from countless cultures, meeting in innumerably different situations. Let’s be part of that rich heritage of family, but let’s also invest heavily into our local bodies. Let’s avoid church hopping. I believe both are possible, and even necessary, for a believer to become all Christ has called them to be within His body.