Spectate or Participate? by Phil

Part of my job as VP of our Woodworkers’ Guild is finding programs for our monthly meetings. A while back, one of our members mentioned he was building a beautiful workbench. I suggested he take photos along the way and share his process with us once it was finished. Last week, he invited me over to his shop to show me his latest progress. It is truly impressive!

While I was there, he mentioned that I was the only person in the Guild he really knew; no one else had reached out to him. Now, let’s be honest: most woodworkers I’ve met are deeply introverted. They are perfectly happy to stay in their shops and never deal with people. Our bunch is getting much better, though—I think my habit of greeting everyone at the door is starting to rub off!

As we kept talking, my friend admitted that due to his busy schedule, he could only attend meetings sporadically. He had never brought an item for Show & Tell, participated in our buddy builds, or gone on a field trip. He was missing out on every opportunity for connection, so it wasn’t surprising that he felt more like a spectator than a part of the community.

The same can be said about church.

Church shouldn’t be a spectator sport. It is meant to be a community of people working and growing together—a family. But close family relationships don’t happen by accident. They take work.

If you ever feel like a church isn’t “friendly,” or that you’re sitting on the sidelines rather than being part of the team, let me ask you a few honest questions:

• How regular is your attendance? Are you there most Sundays, or is it hit-or-miss (with more miss than hit)?
• What is your exit strategy? Do you slip in late, sit on the back pew, and bolt the moment the final “Amen” is uttered?
• Are you plugged in? Do you attend a Sunday School class or a small group?
• Do you show up for community? Do you come to special events and fellowship opportunities?
• Who makes the first move? Do you take the initiative to introduce yourself and get to know people?

Finally, how is your attitude? Do you walk through the doors expecting the music to be too loud or the wrong style? Are you analyzing the sermon just to find a flaw? Is the room going to be too cold? Too hot? Or do you arrive excited, attentive, and ready to see what God wants to say to you today?

I understand that not every church is the right fit for every person. That’s why there are so many of them. Find one where God can use you. But please, don’t write off your current church until you’ve truly put in the effort to connect.

And if every church you visit feels “unfriendly”... well, I hate to tell you, but the church might not be the problem!
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Love you all,
Phil and Pam

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