Hi everyone!

Have you ever heard a statement similar to this? “Well, I would love to be able to go to church, but it’s hard for me to do when I see all the hypocrites there.”

While you may not have heard those exact words, you’ve probably heard a variation of some kind and perhaps wondered a bit if you were being accused of being a hypocrite. None of us want to be considered in such a way, yet this is the impression often left in the wake of such a statement.

Actually, there is NO perfect Church in the world. Every Church has its own “dysfunction” somewhere. Why say that? Because the church is made up of imperfect (dysfunctional? Read: The Corinthian Church ) people who carry in them the power and glory of God. Treasures in Jars of Clay. The only perfect One is Jesus!

Jesus values the church greatly, and in fact, calls it his Bride! We know also that He’s coming one day for a Bride without spot or wrinkle, but we also realize there are still a lot of spots to be removed, and wrinkles to iron!

Hebrews 10:25 gives us a tremendous reminder of the importance of church attendance. “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Paul gave a reminder in the following verse that also serves as a reminder about the body of Christ.

Eph. 3:18 …may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height.

The phrase “with all the saints” is very interesting. Paul is reminding the church at Ephesus that this process of growing in Christ is not something we can do on our own, or even just within the context of our own families. While we must grow in Christ there, we need to be reminded that the love Jesus wants us to grow in is one we learn in the context and environment of the church, or the body of Christ!

The church is where we get to encounter God together

The church is where we get into some “iron sharpens iron” discipleship moments!

The church is where we are able to weep with another who weeps!

The church is where we are able to rejoice when another rejoices!

The church is where we can join together to love on and celebrate one another!

And yes, it says with ALL the saints! And that means anyone who professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and lives a life reflective of that confession of faith.

I would like to encourage you to make church attendance a regular and consistent part of your life, start there, but there is so much more! Yes, you WILL become a stronger Christian as a result!

PS: The Sunday (18 Aug, 8am and 9:30am) we continue on with our FUELLED series!
Week 2: We’ll be looking at what it means to love the Lord with all our strength!

Craig Glenn

Leading Pastor