STOP the HOP!!!
Today I am writing to say to
Christian people every where some simple words of advice: STOP THE HOP!!!
Church hopping...you've heard of
this right? You may have even participated in it, but may have not even
realized it. Church hopping is a modern day phenomenon that seems to increase
by the year. What is it you wonder? Well technically speaking church hopping
can be defined as going from one church to another over short periods of time without
really committing to any one church for any significant period of time.
Ok, so now you are getting the
picture, right? Having pastored here in Marion,
Arkansas for the past 13+ years I have seen
my share of church hoppers. In fact, there are so many church hoppers I am
thinking they should start their own support group in town.
The hard-core church hopper goes
into a church seeking something for self or for their family, but they never
even makes an initial commitment. They perpetually float between churches,
pursuing a Beth Moore study at First Assembly, the men’s group at First
Baptist, youth group at the Methodist, children’s groups over at Bethel, New
Bethel, Old Bethel, or Bethel # 2 while really gravitating toward the must at
Fourth Pentecostal or the new unshaven, jean and sandal wearing pastor sitting
on a stool making a "talk" over at the new non-denominational church in town. Simply put…Church
hopping is the ultimate ‘it is all about me’ experience.”
The hoppers take from various churches whatever they perceive to be of value
without committing to any one church to stay, serve or support that church. At
no point do real spiritual issues enter their minds, nor does the concept of
commitment to God or His church get in the way of meeting their own shallow,
spiritual search for the “serve me” experience.
There are many factors that could lead to church
hopping. It is consumerism at its most basic form being brought into the church
setting. It is also a reflection of the emotional and spiritual immaturity of
many people. For example, if there is decision is made they don’t agree with, a
building campaign is initiated they didn’t vote for, a staff change is made
they didn’t like, or that certain staff member with so much charisma decides to
leave for a new location, these people also leave for some new place. Whoever
has the latest and greatest music leader, light show, “cool” preacher, new
ministry, or whoever offers the least amount of resistance against their
worldly lifestyle, they are present. Watch out…if you ever make them unhappy,
challenge they way they live, expect more from them, want them to serve or join
or be more involved or make a commitment in any way, then they are out of
there!
What is my
advice for people who need to STOP THE HOP? A couple of things:
First,
you must realize that your church is not about you!
I
hate to break that to you, but church does not exist to meet your needs or
wants. Church is a place to worship God as you grow spiritually and use your
gifts to meet the needs of others with the love of Jesus. It is a place to
invest your life is something meaningful and eternal.
Secondly I want you to know that if your
church does not offer a certain “ministry” you think it needs, then maybe God
is calling you to start that ministry.
Third,
you need the people of the church in a significant relationship.
When
you invest no time or commitment into church, you do not grow relationships
with people who can walk alongside you, hold you accountable, ministry with you
and be there to help you when you may need it most! You need the community of
believers.
Fourth,
you must realize no “perfect church” exists.
Do you know why? Because
the church is made up of people who are imperfect. You are not going agree with
everyone all the time. Everything is not going to always be decided to suit
your tastes or desires. At times you might get your feelings hurt and you might
hurt the feelings of others. The same thing happens in every other area of
life, but you don’t stop going to certain restaurants, Wal-Mart, ballgames, or
the movie theater. Again, leaders have to think about everyone in the church
and the future of the church. They are not thinking just about what you want to
be done.
Fifth,
you need to take responsibility for your own spiritual growth.
Your body does not get
nourishment simply by walking through Kroger one week, Wal-Mart the next week,
and Winn Dixie the third week. At some point you have to commit yourself and
invest in the right kinds of food and feed yourself. The same is true at
church. What happens in the church to grow you spiritual ought to be a bonus to
your own time of daily growing with God. So NO…you do not come to church to be
fed. You come to church to worship God, apply what you already know, and to
help feed others who are new to the faith.
Finally,
I think it is time to see what happens when your focus starts to be on the Lord
and not on yourself when you walk through the doors of the church.
You will be shocked to
learn that people in the church from leaders to teachers and others are not at
church to worship you, fulfill your every desire, or to cater to your personal
preferences. You will also be shocked to learn that people in church do
genuinely care about you, want you to grow with them, be their friend, serve
God with you, and want something in your life that is valuable and real that is
only found in making a commitment first to the Lord and secondly to His church!
