While in CGA one of my requirements is that I have a part-time job. I love kids so I immediately checked out care.com. I am currently working as a part-time nanny for a 5-year-old little girl and a 2-year-old little boy. I have loved getting to know their family and telling them about my World Race experience.
Last week while I was with the kids I had a conversation with a man about church. I was talking about the World Race and what I did this past year. The man asked, “Did you do this trip for missions or religious reasons?” I was a bit caught off guard by the question because I don’t separate the two. I also don’t see things as religious or missional. It’s not a religion, it’s a relationship with my Father and it’s not mission work, it’s being obedient.
As we talked more we began talking about church specifically. He said he grew up in the church, but he doesn’t go now because it’s a waste of time and it’s boring. He also said his kids don’t like it either. He would much rather be out doing things to better his family and community.
I agree that we should be out doing things, but without a clear motivation or purpose for doing things with our Creator then what’s the point? There seemed to be a disconnect for why we have church.
I then said, “I don’t think church isn’t a specific place, it’s a connection with the Lord and that can happen everywhere.”
“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:46-47
Church doesn’t just happen in a pew on a Sunday morning. Church can look like sitting around a dinner table with friends. Church can look like going hiking. Church can be having staff worship on Monday mornings. Church can be kayaking in your backyard with a roommate.
Church is about a connection, not a place. If you are sitting in pews on Sunday morning and aren’t connecting with your Creator then I would encourage you to re-evaluate and find a way to connect. Connection can be found through conversations with friends, sitting in solitude, listening to worship music at home or in your car, drawing, journaling, or sitting outside.
These days this is what my “church” looks like…
being in nature with my Father
sitting around the dinner table
sitting on the living room couch or the floor of one of my roommates’ bedrooms
listening to speakers in class and having worship in this space before class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I am not saying don’t go to church on Sunday mornings…I am saying be in a space where you connect with the Lord.
We’re still doing the thing in Georgia!
Much love, Carson
