"I Want A Church That Meets My Needs"
by:
William Woodson
The statement made in the title is not only the desire of many in the religious world, but is becoming the philosophy of many Christians, because many of us are seeking a religion that “meets our needs.” The phrase itself has virtually become a new religious term. Many persons praise or blame a particular congregation because it is or is not “meeting my needs.”
Let me hasten to say that if the phrase means that
we need to satisfy spiritual hunger, then it is a good expression. For surely everyone ought to be in a
Christian community where his/her deepest spiritual longings are being
addressed. The voice of God needs to be
heard through spiritual teachings, and we need opportunities to serve, love,
and be called to repentance.
But being a part of the church to some means
reaching for goals of “self-actualization.”
So if the church doesn’t fulfill certain expectations, wants and
preferences, then they must move on to another emotional department store with
different merchandise more appealing to their “tastes.”
Sadly, and probably without realizing it, many
congregations have gotten into thinking that “we have to do all these things
and plan all these activities to meet people’s needs so they won’t leave.” Consequently, well-meaning leaders have
turned God’s church into a merchandising institution. So we promote this program and that program for this group and
that group.
But, in my judgment, the system has become turned
upside down from the way God intended it to be. Whatever happened to the attitude in a Christian’s heart of “I’d
like to be a part of this congregation because of what I can do to meet its
needs?” When are we most
fulfilled? When our needs are met? Or when we meet the needs of God’s church on
this earth? We ought to be a part of a
congregation, not so that our needs can be met, but rather so that we may best
meet the needs of God’s work.
Christians need to recall the truth of the
Scriptures that personal fulfillment is a great spiritual paradox. We are most filled when we empty ourselves
and become filled serving others. Jesus
taught us “whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister
(servant). . . . even as the Son of man came not to ministered unto, but to
minister (serve)” (Matthew 20:26-28).
Paul said of his own heart, “I am crucified with
Christ. Nevertheless I live, yet, not
I, but Christ liveth in me. And the
life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who
loved me and gave himself for me”
(Galatians 2:20). And again, “I
beseech you therefore by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable
service” (Romans 12:1). “Reasonable service” is not being served
(having your needs met), but serving (meeting the needs of others). We need to relearn the axiom “It is more
blessed to give than to receive” (Acts
20:35).
Let’s not demand that God’s church be a place where
people (leadership or membership) cater to our desires and preferences. Let’s turn it right-side up again and be a
part of a congregation, not for what it can do for us, but for what we can do
for it.