There was a fascinating question raised in discussion this week about whether or not you have to go to church to be a Christian? What do you think?
Of course, right at the heart of the question is what we think being a Christian is. Is being a Christian defined by certain acts or is it believing a particular set of ideas or about living a particular lifestyle? Is it about conformity to some blueprint that is written down somewhere or is it about membership of a particular organisation?
Well, if I get this definition right in a few words I’ll be famous(!) but I would like to offer a few thoughts.
I suggest that being a Christian is a response:
- it’s a response to the gift of love and forgiveness we have been shown by God through his very real Son Jesus - a love that helps it know that whatever happens, however well or badly we do - he is there for us;
- it’s a response to the gift of ourselves, recognising that our very capacity for life and love that we have has been unconditionally given to us;
- it’s a response to the glorious gift of the world around us, realising that we are blessed a thousand times a day in ways that we often simply take for granted.
Being a Christian is a thankful response to the initiative of God to make us his children and a Christian life flows from this thankfulness. So every Christian will find their own way of expressing their thankfulness and using their gifts in ways that honour the Giver. So being a Christian is clearly not about a set of rules, but about a lived relationship rooted in thankfulness to God for all He has done and particularly for coming among us in Jesus to show us the full extent of His love.
At the heart of Christian worship is the Eucharist (literally ‘thanksgiving’). Worship is giving God His worth and at its heart is demonstrating our thankfulness together as His family. Part of being at church is being part of the family way of saying “thank you” together.
So, do you have to go to church to be a Christian? Maybe not - but isn’t He worth it?
With peace and blessings,
Jules.
PS If you ever have any questions that you feel it might be helpful to hear discussed, why not let me know them?
Of course, right at the heart of the question is what we think being a Christian is. Is being a Christian defined by certain acts or is it believing a particular set of ideas or about living a particular lifestyle? Is it about conformity to some blueprint that is written down somewhere or is it about membership of a particular organisation?
Well, if I get this definition right in a few words I’ll be famous(!) but I would like to offer a few thoughts.
I suggest that being a Christian is a response:
- it’s a response to the gift of love and forgiveness we have been shown by God through his very real Son Jesus - a love that helps it know that whatever happens, however well or badly we do - he is there for us;
- it’s a response to the gift of ourselves, recognising that our very capacity for life and love that we have has been unconditionally given to us;
- it’s a response to the glorious gift of the world around us, realising that we are blessed a thousand times a day in ways that we often simply take for granted.
Being a Christian is a thankful response to the initiative of God to make us his children and a Christian life flows from this thankfulness. So every Christian will find their own way of expressing their thankfulness and using their gifts in ways that honour the Giver. So being a Christian is clearly not about a set of rules, but about a lived relationship rooted in thankfulness to God for all He has done and particularly for coming among us in Jesus to show us the full extent of His love.
At the heart of Christian worship is the Eucharist (literally ‘thanksgiving’). Worship is giving God His worth and at its heart is demonstrating our thankfulness together as His family. Part of being at church is being part of the family way of saying “thank you” together.
So, do you have to go to church to be a Christian? Maybe not - but isn’t He worth it?
With peace and blessings,
Jules.
PS If you ever have any questions that you feel it might be helpful to hear discussed, why not let me know them?
