When We Come Together

I remember when I was first invited to Tabernacle Free Will Baptist Church in Kinston, NC. I was twelve years old, and the invitation came from a man named Bobby Davis. He was a bus captain on one of the church’s bus routes. Apparently, while riding through the neighborhood one Sunday morning, he saw my brother and me playing baseball. It was then that he decided to tell us about children’s church.

It took him a few more tries to get us to attend a service. One of the biggest draws for me was when he mentioned a lady named Mrs. Marilyn, who always baked treats for the kids on her bus route.

For a time, the only reason I attended church was for the social connections and the sweets. But it wasn’t long before I gave my life to Jesus, and my motivation shifted from superficial reasons to a genuine desire to learn more about the Bible and how I could follow Christ.

I will always be thankful that Bobby didn’t give up on inviting us to church. I’m equally grateful for Mrs. Marilyn, who, for many years, lovingly prepared treats for so many children—many of whom often went without breakfast at home. Thank God for people who didn’t just “go to church,” but lived out their faith through their walk.

Why do you attend church services? Is it superficial? Is it to climb a perceived social ladder or to maintain the charade that you have everything together? Some strive for leadership roles so they can bask in the “limelight.” Others settle for hiding in the crowd, remaining stagnant in their Christian walk.

Paul encouraged the believers in Philippi to “…stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27b), and to the believers in Corinth, he urged, “Let all things be done unto edifying” (1 Corinthians 14:26b). When we gather for church services, are we seeking to grow in unity? Are we striving to edify one another and spread the gospel?

Why do you come?