48 Who Needs Church?
Garrett decided to stop going to church. He used to be very enthusastic about going to church. He would make his family wake up early Saturday morning to get dressed so that they could make it to church early. Garrett would even make food Friday afternoon after work to bring to the potluck after church service. Garrett loved discussing the Bible in Sabbath school and singing praise songs in the main service.
However, one day Garrett got in an argument with Pastor Joe. The argument got so heated that Garrett's son had to try to restrain Garrett or else he might try to punch Pastor Joe. After that day, Garrett decided that he didn't want to go to church anymore.
Garrett announced to his family that they were no longer going to church. Garrett said that he could download lessons online and that they can study the Bible together at home. They can also sing praise songs at home since Garrett was an accomplished pianist and the family owned a piano. Garrett's family reluctantly went with Garrett's wishes, so they all stopped going to church.
All seemed to be well in Garrett's mind until a couple weeks later, Garrett's daughter Patty asked, "Daddy, why don't we go to church anymore?"
Garrett was taken back by his daughter's question, but he replied, "Well, sweetie. Daddy got in an argument with Pastor Joe and Daddy still thinks Pastor Joe is wrong. We don't need church, Patty. We can still read the Bible at home and sing praise songs and eat together for lunch. We're not missing anything."
Patty was silent for a moment then she looked up at Garrett again and asked, "Okay, Daddy. I know you're still mad at Pastor Joe, but I still don't know why can't we go to church. What did Jesus do to you?"
Garrett was dumbfounded by Patty's question and cut to the heart. He slowly fell to his knees and gently put his hands on our shoulders while looking straight into Patty's innocent eyes. "Nothing, sweetie. Jesus did nothing wrong to me," Garrett softly replied.
We are beholden to Christ, not to men. We should not let our faith be determined by external things, like whether or not we like certain people in the church or if we think the pastor could have done a better job in delivering his sermon. We are to look to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, and seek to do His will!
- Recommended reading: John 21:17-25
