At the General Assembly, Christy and I saw a sign that read “Chapel”. We had visited chapels at previous assemblies and have been impressed with them. We decided to look inside.
We entered the dimly lit room and saw a group of people sitting around a small table with a lamp. As we stood there, a person at the table raised his head and said, “The phone chargers are over there.” I looked across the room and saw another small table with a lamp. Looking more closely, I saw several phone charger wires spread across it, all set up to recharge the phones of those who entered.
At first, I thought “great my phone needs a recharge.” I had been using my phone all day, answering emails, following along with business items, and texting friends at the assembly. I almost went over and plugged in, but then it hit me.
The chapel was a recharging station, but not in the way most needed. Intentionally or unintentionally, this chapel was focused on electronic needs instead of spiritual needs. People would leave happy with phones recharged, but none would leave more connected to God or empowered by the Holy Spirit.
I began to feel a little irritated, but then God whispered in my ear. “Tom, the church is often no better!” We tend to focus on making people happy, instead of empowering them to live in and show God’s love. We tend to expect the church to take care of us, instead of challenging us, equipping us, and sending us out to serve.
Should we not focus more on spiritually recharging people to live as disciples of Christ? Instead of asking what we want in a church or pastor, we will be better served to ask questions like: “What can we do to be better inspired? What can we do to be better educated and equipped for ministry? What opportunities to serve can we organize and offer?”
Our phones may need to be recharged, but so does our church. Imagine the difference this change in attitude would bring to our homes, churches, and communities. I want to live in that world, and everyone would want to be a part of that church.
It all begins with us. Let’s make it happen. Remember, God loves us more than we can ever imagine, and I love you too!
Tom