Church was Attractive?

 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.”

 I can’t believe I am having the opportunity to live out this chapter of Acts! The joy and excitement I am having right now are unexplainable. Right now I am sitting at a table with other racers and hearing some great stories from the relaunches. It is raining, and dreary yet there are laughter and joy. This is the body Christ and so many people have desired and wanted this, and some are experiencing it for the first time.

 The thought that has run through my head the most is that, how amazing would it be if all churches were like this! It has been so amazing seeing the body of christ active and moving. I’ve met so many people already and it feels like I am a part of a huge family. I feel like I have known these guys for so long. Acts talked about how they were all together, in agreement, and how God was adding to their numbers day by day. 

 The secret to church growth lies in Acts. I don’t mean just adding another number to the long list of Christian onlookers; honestly, I’m getting tired of them. If you are one, don’t be upset but ask why are you bothering? I don’t mean that in a mean way, but even Jesus tells us that we should consider the cost (Luke 14:25-33). We are told that we are in a war, and bystanders usually just get hurt in a war. 

 But, who am I? I have been a bystander, coasters, an onlooker; but that’s just the thing, I have been, so I would know both sides of the coin. I will be the first to tell you, an onlooker is exciting and doesn’t look appealing; at least to the ones in the game or those who are looking for the game. In some translations, Peter is actually talking to the onlookers in Acts. It’s here that the church was first introduced and then we are told that the church was appealing. Acts 2:46 and 47 states,

 “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with flat generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.”

 That’s an attraction if I ever saw it! And I am seeing why the church was so attractive. Living with these guys has shown me why their numbers were growing each and every day. Imagine being somewhere, or talking to someone, that was totally devoted? What if this place or person loved you regardless of what crap you were bringing in, or the garbage that you rolled around in. What if there existed a group who didn’t hide their sins, but made it present and trusted one another, who prayed regularly for one another, and who was a family. Wouldn’t you want a piece of this too?!

 Remember families are tough, but when you find one, whether blood or not, you know where you can always return. You always have a place that believes that there is now no condemnation, that your sins or wrongdoings have been separated from you, matter of fact those sins are so far away that they’re forgotten. What person wouldn’t find this attractive and desirable? So what happened?

 We lost touch with our roots, and started to believe that church was a show for the religious? It was a place to put on your best behavior, to clean yourself up, to pretend that hurt no longer existed in the world. If you can’t list my one to two people that you have gone to and broken down with, excluding the pastor, in your church; then it’s time to rethink the community that you have chosen to be a part of. OR better yet, question yourself and see why you haven’t taken the time to reach out.

 Community, similar to family, isn’t easy. Some of us may believe that it’s given because you’re born into it, but many understand that the family you’re born into may not be what you consider family. You work hard for it, day in and day out. Now that means that if you want to break down, you have to get to know the person you’re going to break down too, which means you may have to stop talking and listen, truly listen to not just hear the words they are saying. That might mean, you need to stop listen and start talking.

 It can mean many different things for many different people. But remember the church was attractive because of the love they showed, not because of the empty words they spoke, or the fake life they were trying to show, or even the church gossip. Everyone who showed up felt loved and cared about because that’s what Christ taught them to do. 

 So if you want church growth or even personal growth as I am experiencing, Love first; then you will notice Acts 2:47 for yourselves. 

 And the Lord added to their number day by day tho who were being saved.