When I step through the doors of a church, what am I looking for? Some would say a good word. Others might say some good music. And if you go to Bridgeway, you might say a creative element.
In addition to being the Worship Director here at Bridgeway, I also have the privilege of coaching worship ministries at other churches. The question of “what are people looking for in a church these days?” often comes up in conversation. While some would suggest that the reason might be fellowship, inspiration, or information that attracts people to a church, I would challenge them to think bigger. While others would suggest that the answer depends on your culture, demographic, or age, I would challenge them to look deeper.
So what is it really? What causes us to want to come back to church every week? The answer is revelation. In other words, it’s the desire to be close with our Father through his Son Jesus. While some cultures and demographics are drawn to an informational style of church, and others are drawn toward an inspirational style, I believe the one thing that bridges all of it together is our universal hunger for Revelation. Whether we recognize it or not, we all just want to be close with daddy.
Have you ever been to the point you couldn’t stop eating or drinking because you haven’t satisfied your thirst or hunger? I would suggest that it’s because you didn’t really find what you were looking for or needed. You were searching for something that could not be satisfied. What if we all, as a body of believers, decided that regardless of the style, genre, etc., our main motivation for coming to church would be intimacy with God our Creator through Jesus Christ. I believe that would be a life-changer for all of us. Let’s all try it together!
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.’”
John 4:13-14, 23-24 NIV