Monday, April 09, 2007

"People don't want a friendly church . . . "

As you read the title you were probably questioning it. Is it true people don’t want a friendly church? If they don’t want a friendly church, why are we always talking about being friendly? If they don’t want a friendly church, what DO they want?

I don’t remember where I heard this quote but I believe it is true: “People don’t want a friendly church. They want a friend.” What does this mean? Do people not really want a friendly church? Yes, they do, but that is only the beginning—what they are really looking for is a friend. If you are looking for a friend you usually begin with someone who is friendly, not someone who ignores you or is rude to you. But the fact that someone is friendly doesn’t necessarily mean they will be your friend. Being friendly doesn’t require the sustained effort that being a friend does. It is one thing to be friendly for the 4-5 hours a week that we spend together “at church”. It is quite another to be a friend at not only those times, but at other times during the week. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24) Friends spend time together—that’s what builds their friendship. They may work together, they will certainly worship together, and they will also do fun things together. They may go out to eat, have a picnic, put on a fish fry, play games, or just sit and talk.

Being a friend requires much more than the investment of time—it will require you to listen, to share, and even to open yourself up to another. There is an emotional commitment—to share the good times, the bad times, even to correct them when you must. “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Prov. 27:17) You will probably have to laugh at some of the same jokes over and over (just like they do at yours), you will have to not only vent to them, but really listen when they vent to you. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Prov. 17:17)

The quote is right—what people really want is a friend, or friends. Are you willing to make the commitment to be a friend to a new Christian, or a new member or family in the congregation? They will benefit, but so will you.

Tol

3 comments:

John Maddocks said...

Brother Tol, everything you write just inspires and warms my heart! I pray that God will bless you and your dear wife as you make your move to Puerto Rico. God bless you brother!

'Round the Chuckbox said...

The other aspect is you want brethren who are not afraid to tell you when you're slipping into sin. We need those "who are spititual" who can come to us in times of need and "restore (us)in a spirit of gentleness" (Gal. 6:1). James said, "My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (Jas. 5:19-20).

Although there are many aspects of friendship, I believe the key area is the assistance that we give each other in our lives. It involves fellowship in Jesus, constant prayer for each other and the encourage we give each other in love as we assemble as a church and at other times.

Steve

Unknown said...

Brother Burk,
I haven't been able to find your email address, so I'm using this method to get in touch. My sister is going to be in San Juan (staying at the Ritz Carlton with the family she is a nanny for) and wanted to know about assembly locations/times - especially if there are any meetings that are conducted in English.

She is going to be in town in the next week, so any help you might offer would be appreciated.

And I very much appreciate the thoughts you've shared in this post. It's an excellent reminder!