The Habit of Church
Creating habits can be a good thing. The habit of exercise is good for our health, as we routinely go for a walk, ride our bike, head to the gym, play pickleball, or do whatever activity helps us stay involved in physical movement that maintains or improves our condition. The habit of putting our kids to sleep at night, reading them a book, saying prayers with them, all set an example and provide routines they will benefit from as they grow older. The habit of going to the dentist or doctor on a set schedule helps us keep a check on our vitals and take needed action to stay healthy.
What about the habit of going to church? Again, it can be a very good thing. We need this routine for regularly doing what God has told us to do (not forsaking meeting together – Heb 10:25) as we honor the Lord through our patterns of worship, Bible study, and obedience. But we all know that sometimes church attendance becomes so much of a habit, no longer intentional but just a set routine we continue without much thought, that we lose the benefit, operating on a negative auto mode.
There’s a funny story that relates. A Catholic Mass was being held, and the priest would usually start with the normal greeting, “The Lord be with you.” Those in attendance would then respond, “And also with you.” They’d done this every service for many years, a habit. But on this occasion the microphone wasn’t working, so the priest said in a loud voice to the sound booth technician, “There’s something wrong with this microphone!” Without thinking the congregation answered, “And also with you.”
There’s something wrong with all of us. Why do we neglect church? Maybe it’s because we’ve been going since childhood, and we just developed the habit without ever making an adult decision to do so. We think it’s a good thing but have never really become engaged beyond attending. Maybe it’s because some family members (parent, grandparent, etc.) want us there and we don’t want to disappoint them, but we aren’t much interested in this otherwise. Maybe we just picked an unhealthy church. Or maybe we were intentional in the beginning, started this habit with good motives, but over time we’ve just become lax and lost our enthusiasm for it. Maybe we need a refresher on Revelation 2:4…
“I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first (for God)”
Jesus is to be our greatest love, above all others, even of spouse and family. Is our love for him anywhere close to that, in reality? It’s at least the direction we should be moving, as his disciples. And if we love him like that, shouldn’t, wouldn’t that impact the habit of church attendance and involvement?
We can get too busy at church, true. It becomes a burden instead of refreshing. I recall a time in the late 1970’s when I was attending church in Moberly, MO and you’d go to Sunday school and worship service in the morning. Then you’d go to a Bible study and worship service again on Sunday night. Then you’d go to Bible study on Wednesday night. If you wanted to take positive steps to implement change, there was just too much. You barely had time to digest one lesson before you were going to church again for another one. Add that to your work schedule and family activities and it was just too much.
But that’s no excuse for being uninvolved. We just need to be more intentional about it, as we often struggle to attend church once a week. The old formula of tithing your time (compared to your 40-hour work schedule) makes sense to me. One hour of worship, one hour of Bible study, one total hour of prayer time, and one hour of service weekly (4 total). That sets the stage for Christian growth.
Cross Point: I had a preacher at my home church who often talked about the “habit patterns of our life.” They are important! With intentionality, the habit of church is vital! You can make it a good habit, not a boring one.
What about the habit of going to church? Again, it can be a very good thing. We need this routine for regularly doing what God has told us to do (not forsaking meeting together – Heb 10:25) as we honor the Lord through our patterns of worship, Bible study, and obedience. But we all know that sometimes church attendance becomes so much of a habit, no longer intentional but just a set routine we continue without much thought, that we lose the benefit, operating on a negative auto mode.
There’s a funny story that relates. A Catholic Mass was being held, and the priest would usually start with the normal greeting, “The Lord be with you.” Those in attendance would then respond, “And also with you.” They’d done this every service for many years, a habit. But on this occasion the microphone wasn’t working, so the priest said in a loud voice to the sound booth technician, “There’s something wrong with this microphone!” Without thinking the congregation answered, “And also with you.”
There’s something wrong with all of us. Why do we neglect church? Maybe it’s because we’ve been going since childhood, and we just developed the habit without ever making an adult decision to do so. We think it’s a good thing but have never really become engaged beyond attending. Maybe it’s because some family members (parent, grandparent, etc.) want us there and we don’t want to disappoint them, but we aren’t much interested in this otherwise. Maybe we just picked an unhealthy church. Or maybe we were intentional in the beginning, started this habit with good motives, but over time we’ve just become lax and lost our enthusiasm for it. Maybe we need a refresher on Revelation 2:4…
“I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first (for God)”
Jesus is to be our greatest love, above all others, even of spouse and family. Is our love for him anywhere close to that, in reality? It’s at least the direction we should be moving, as his disciples. And if we love him like that, shouldn’t, wouldn’t that impact the habit of church attendance and involvement?
We can get too busy at church, true. It becomes a burden instead of refreshing. I recall a time in the late 1970’s when I was attending church in Moberly, MO and you’d go to Sunday school and worship service in the morning. Then you’d go to a Bible study and worship service again on Sunday night. Then you’d go to Bible study on Wednesday night. If you wanted to take positive steps to implement change, there was just too much. You barely had time to digest one lesson before you were going to church again for another one. Add that to your work schedule and family activities and it was just too much.
But that’s no excuse for being uninvolved. We just need to be more intentional about it, as we often struggle to attend church once a week. The old formula of tithing your time (compared to your 40-hour work schedule) makes sense to me. One hour of worship, one hour of Bible study, one total hour of prayer time, and one hour of service weekly (4 total). That sets the stage for Christian growth.
Cross Point: I had a preacher at my home church who often talked about the “habit patterns of our life.” They are important! With intentionality, the habit of church is vital! You can make it a good habit, not a boring one.
Posted in Cross Points