Religious Organizations

So, we have been visiting this church and after about the fifth visit, we completed a visitor card. That prompted a gift basket being left at the door and a letter asking what our first impressions were. I also wrote one of the pastors a note and asked if we might sit and talk sometime.

The thing is, I don't know what I want to say or not say to him. Honestly, I'm not sure we want to jump back into another religious machine. It frustrates me that the majority of my tithe goes to paying for mortgage payments, electricity etc. and so little to actually helping people.

In truth, it is easier to be in a church where there are certain expectations. There is something comfortable about thinking you know what God wants from you. It must be to be involved in this ministry where you spend most of your time and money anyway. But, what if that isn't where God wants you spending all your time and money? Most likely you won't know it because you are too busy or too comfortable to ask and listen.

Its a lot harder to trust God to guide you day-by-day as to what He wants you to be doing and where you should spend your time and money. That leaves us open to any number of possibilities, some of which we might not like. But if we truly want God's will, that is how it will have to be. Waking each day asking, "God, what do you have for me today, who do you want me to talk with or help?"

Not many churches would suggest people open their heart to what God wants them to do on Sunday morning, we assume He wants us in church. In truth, there may be some Sundays when God wants you spending time with a neighbor or talking to a family member on the phone or just bonding with your wife and or kids.

We are perfectly willing to give to an organization we feel is doing good things and help with their planned activities. However, so often, the majority of effort and money given is simply expended on ministry to the Church. Of course there are people who need to be in church to learn and grow but most churches take the approach that if you are there, you need to be contributing in some way to the ministry, which is primarily to other members of the church.

So, I'm not sure. I know we won't be "joining" the organization, we're already members of The Church and we won't go to every event they plan, we live church everyday. We'll contribute a part of our tithe and help where we feel lead of the Lord and if that is cool with them we'll worship there.