The Church-Swapper

I found a better church, or so I thought;
It thrilled my heart; its doctrines matching mine---
Those pre-set beliefs that to it I brought---
The pastor, at first, seeming more divine!
My contentment grew, as did lighter yokes;
Less change of heart and giving demanded;
Not like the former man, who told dull jokes;
Made arduous change that he commanded!
My pastor-image he just didn't fit;
Would not change when I wrote him his wrong!
Soon my new man began to slip a bit,
Left my mental model and sang a new song!
I began to look elsewhere, for someone new
Might fit my image, and with less change, too!

All long-time church members are familiar with church-swappers"---people who go from church to church, looking for a pastor whose style and belief fit their own, and whose congregation of members are outgoing, warm, and friendly. If you are like that, please remember that a church should be and usually is like a hospital---full of sick people who need someone like you to supply what is lacking! No church is perfectly suited to anyone. The believer is expected to adjust to the church and help it to grow more like Christ; with your help being friendly and outgoing, you can join the workers in making it better. As far as the pastor's style and doctrine is concerned, remember there would be only one denomination to begin with if everybody believed the scriptures alike; but even in the same denomination, preachers are different in many ways---no one man possesses all the talents needed to please everybody.

Among Baptists, there are over 300 varieties, and the largest, the Southern Baptist Convention, has just emerged from an intradenominational squabble that will undoubtedly leave 3 or 4 smaller groups struggling in its wake. If you are considering becoming a Christian, and you should be if you're not one, you need a church membership. It's not that you have to join a church to be saved; but if you do, you are much more likely to please God when He looks into your heart on judgment day if you have participated fully in a church. Remember what Paul said in Romans 10:17, "faith comes from hearing the gospel". You are saved by your faith in Jesus; but you have to have faith; you get faith by listening to the preacher, Bible teacher, even by reading my blogs.

Another point needs to be made about church attendance. Remember that all born-again Christians continue to sin after their conversion. Even the pastor, the deacons, the priests, etc. You need some older(in Christ), more mature Christian to mentor you; to sort of partner, to talk with about spiritual matters. This can be vitally helpful. Occasionally, scandal breaks out when well-known Christians are revealed to have committed the most tawdry of sins. If you have idolized such a person, it could shake, even destroy, your faith. Keep in mind, we all have feet of clay until we are admitted to heaven. Clay feet are left in huge piles outside heaven's gate!