This is for some reason a point of dissention on the church as a whole now adays. There are multiple camps on this topic and many ways to hold a church service, but here are a few of the point of that seems to be missed:

• Honor God
• Worship the Creator
• Fellowship
• Training and Equipping
• Desire to be challenged

Our “contemporary worship” services are relatively new in the grand scheme but those roots trace back to the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Church services adapt on how they are done to meet the needs of the people, but should never be adapted to lift up people or to make us more comfortable. The way our services are here in Quarryville are much different than the mother church in Virginia Beach, our sister churches in Tampa, Fiji, Delaware, Scranton, and around the world. We are each different as God has given each part of the body a unique call and vision, but we work together for the same purpose.

How are we not to be comfortable? I’m glad you asked. Jesus says as much in multiple occasions but let’s focus on Matthew 16: 24,25 AMP

Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].

Denying your flesh is not easy, being willing to take up the burden of the cross isn’t easy, and following Christ as a disciple is certainly not easy. HOWEVER, what comes from that out weights the short term sacrifices and challenges. Left to our own devises, we will never challenge ourself to save sacrifice as we need to. Discipleship is not a solo act! Jesus had 12, he sent them in pairs, they worked together, imprisoned together, and taught others to not forsake (desert) our gathering of worship (Hebrews 10: 24,25)

So why go to a church when I can read the Bible myself? You should read the Bible yourself regardless, but if you aren’t around others to receive of the revelation God gives them and their life testimonies then you’ll be miss out. You miss the blessing that comes from corporate worship, you miss the encouragement you get from being around God’s people, and you miss out on a lot of joy. No church body is perfect, but our God is! Sometimes the worship team has a disagreement before church and there is a disconnect. Maybe the pastor had a rough week at work and couldn’t spend the time desired preparing for the sermon and it falls flat. All that to say, we all have challenges but those challenges are easier to get breakthrough when you have people surrounding you who want the best for you.

Church isn’t about the number of rears in the pews, how fast you got through the service or how long can you make it. It’s not about how much is in the bank account, how righteous you look doing your good works, or how much swag you have. It’s about Jesus! Let’s get back to that truth and serve God will all we have! Pursue Him greater! Worship Him harder! Be a support for one another! The Church cannot function as it should without you and I doing the things we have been called to do, so find that house the teaches the Word of God and be apart of that family.

Blessings to you as you go out and be the part of the Body of Christ that you have been called to!

Pastor Robert Larcom