Tag: Church family

#52- Why YOU Love the Church

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

I can’t think of a better way to finish out this series! I loved reading all of these reasons, and I hope you do, too!

Michele Wheat– There are STRONG women in the church to guide, carry, and love you through EVERY season of life! There is not a thing you will walk through that someone hasn’t been there ahead of you. Every age group holds wisdom and comfort.

Betty Preble– I love the Lord’s church because it teaches the pure gospel of Christ.

Cori Fuller-I love how singing bonds us together. I love knowing that nearly wherever we go, and all over the world, there are others striving to serve and know God, too. I love the way we take care of each other in times of need.

Kristy Woodall– Sometimes we may feel that God is not within reach in that He can’t comfort you in the way we often desire comfort. The hug. But the church meets that need. The love of your church family is the physical manifestation of God’s love for you! That is why our assembling together creates heaven on earth.

Kristina Odom– My husband has been a full time minister for 27 1/2 years. We have been blessed to have spent those years with some of the best people. We have seen many things, been a part of many things, laughed at many things, loved many things, and have endured many things. God’s church is filled with people who love, who care, who lift each other up, who humble us, who root for each other, who are always willing to help or serve or just share a smile. I love that God designed His church to be a family. I love the bonds that are formed within that family. I love watching the love we have for each other grow. It’s a beautiful thing. I love my church family. I love my family.

Kelsey Taylor– I love the church because I know that wherever I go, I will always have family there. That’s exactly what the church is—a family. I attend a congregation where most of us aren’t locals, but we’ve all been planted here in one way or another. It’s such a beautiful thing to witness how deeply connected we are, especially since many of us don’t have our actual families nearby. The church has become our true family—supporting, loving, and walking alongside us through our brokenness and joys alike. I am so thankful for this community and the way it reflects God’s love in such tangible ways.

Maurey Best- Too many seasons I love the church. One is the laughter with my sisters in Christ. There is nothing like it.

Steve Bookout- I think while the church is made up of people from all walks of life, they are mostly people all trying to be good people. Good neighbors, etc. You find people who are in friendly, familial type relationships that wouldn’t have anything to do with each other outside of Christ. I know we can all point to exceptions, but the church just seems to me to be a more loving, friendly, unified environment than what you find anywhere in the world. That happiness is seen in marriages, families, and friendships. I enjoy being around God’s people.

Ashley McGuire- One reason I’m thankful for the Lord’s church is because of the prayers said on my behalf and encouragement from my brothers and sisters. Fighting a battle with depression is utterly exhausting. There are days that I am filled with despair, but I find comfort and hope in knowing that the Lord’s church will lift me up in prayer.

Amanda Key– When I finally opened up and shared my sorrow and asked for prayers to grow our family – the church surrounded me with love and encouragement the entire time until we adopted our son. Another reason I love the church is because you always have family where ever you go!

Kari Armstrong-Fish– I love the Lord’s church because they comfort me. They help me and encourage me. They love me. I am so thankful! God is so good!

Chelsea Robinson– I love the church because we’ll be together for all of eternity!

Vickie March– We love the Church because Jesus died for it and for every single person on this planet.

Krista Cook– I love the Lord’s Church because you are always at home – whether with your local family or your extended family. Also because of ALL the connections – someone always knows someone you know.

Jim Harrison– He made a plan to make a place for me in His kingdom before the world was formed.

Donna Sapp– Because everybody there loves God & is striving to be more like him each day!

Barbara Barnes– Loving others to show your love for God.

Stella Ziebell– I love the Church because we are all a part of God’s family.

Telah Wrenn– I love the Lord’s church for the glimpse of heaven it gives me.

Julie Gibb– One of the things I love most about the Lord’s church is how extensive the family is. When we travel, we always find some connection to other friends or places or something at every congregation we visit no matter how far from home we are.

Peggy Stone– We are God’s saved people.

Janet Brent– I love our church because of their desire to see people come to know Christ as well as their willingness to pray for others!!!

Carla Schaadt– I love how even though you don’t personally know the people when you are a visitor at another congregation you ALWAYS ( or should) feel as if you are around people you’ve known for years because of the connection of all being one body for Christ.

Rob Moorey– When you love someone, truly love them, you love what they love. Jesus loved the Church so much he died for it. If I love Jesus, how can I not love the Church as much as he does?

Pat England– To hear an instructional lesson to draw me closer to God.

Melinda Netherton– Showing God’s Love , working together.

Sylvia Sanchez-Strive to be Christ like.

Rachel Robertson– The genuine love and compassion in the church is one the most beautiful things I’ve seen.

Debby Greene– My reason is the wonderful family in the church.

Veronick Pignatelli- I love the church because no matter how near or far, we are all one big family. The love we have for eachother, how we care for one another, how we can rely on eachother in ways nothing in the world can offer us. What Jesus said in Matthew 6:33-34 is the meaning of being in peace, when we are united with our brethren. This is how God takes care of us. Everything we need is in the body, and it is a beautiful place to be.

Rebecca Dixon- We are the church. Available 24/7 everyday. When we meet on first day of week, as the church, to partake, remember and give thanks, we communicate with people who nourish our life with lessons, love, and laughter.

Debbie Hawthorne- The church is my way of life, my family, my friends, my companions, my confidantes because we are all of “like precious faith”.

Deanna Myers- No matter where in tge world you go, if you are a part of the Lord’s church, you have family.

Bonnie McCoy– I love the church because we worship God His way and we share that precious faith.

Bobbie Goodnight– I love the church because it is God’s family and it instructs us in His Word how to worship God, how to get to Heaven, how to remain faithful, how to live a Christian life, and how to improve each and every day of our lives.

Donna Faughn– I love the church because Jesus built it. He is the chief cornerstone. It will never fall because “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” We live in a fallen world surrounded by sin, but Christ and His faithful followers will live on forever.

Nataliya Parakhin– Church is the Kingdom that will never be overpowered by any other and will never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44). Looking at the war events in our homeland for more than 11 years I have deep appreciation of belonging to such place. 

Brenda Mask– The Church of Christ is the Family of God, where we come together to worship God and study and learn what He wants for our life and glorify Him wherever we go to bring others to Him. Our prayer and mission should be His prayer and mission. John 1.

Beth Cook– I love the church because of our Savior. And I love the church because I am NEVER EVER alone being a part of God’s family.

Cathy Turner– I recently heard of a non-church member describing the church by saying, “Those people never let anyone suffer alone.” That’s one of the things that I love about God’s family.

Lila Wiley– The desire to see people get saved! To hear the true meaning of God’s word! To encourage me to keep going and try to be a light for Jesus and a blessing to others!

Joyce Utzman– Sometimes friends and even family members can let me down. There are times we disappointed them, but our God will never leave or forsake us, even when we fail Him, like the prodigal son, He is there to welcome us home. God is love.

Sonja Caton– I love the church because it is God’s chosen vessel to save mankind. By sending Jesus to redeem man from sin God then sent His Church for us to cling to until Christ returns to take us home.

Sandra Aleshire– I love the church because when you move from another state you’re immediately invited in and it doesn’t take long to feel at home.

Vivian Grise– Chains of love holding us together.

Beth Brown– We live several states away from our children and get to see them once a year. When our daughter’s house had roof damage from a hurricane, she was at home with 4 children. Her husband was deployed. Her dad was too far away to come and check on it. One of the men from her church family came out to see about it. As a mother of little ones, she sure didn’t need to get on a ladder and check her roof. Her brother in Christ knows all the insurance adjusters and repair folks in the area. He was able to be a skilled advisor and make sure she was dealing with reputable people. Our other daughter went through a tough time for a year or so. Her elders and their wives were so good to check on her daily and make sure she was safe, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They were her family when we were too far away to physically check on her every day. When God’s family functions as God designed it, it is a special blessing to the adult children and to their parents who loving and praying from far away.

Julie Pitts– Because the Church that Jesus established was about loving us enough to correct us when we are wrong, give us peace through times of grief and sorrow, and teach me to store God’s Word in my heart so I might not sin against Him. It’s a love story that has continued for centuries. It is free for everyone we just have to abide in His Love and show Him we honor Him by living by His commandments.

David Malley-Garza– One reason I love the Lord’s church is because no one takes care of you better than the Lord’s people do.

Retha Naylor– They are my family.

Rita McGuire– I love the church because I know I have family anywhere I go. In our travels when we attend a congregation, no matter where it is, I know we are among believers and usually we will come across someone who knows someone we know. I love having this kinship. God is SO good.

Julie Gibb– It’s amazing and it’s wonderful. We have so much support in Rochester, Minnesota, when we go to Mayo Clinic. Getting to stay in the hands of compassion house that is operated by the Rochester Church of Christ is amazing!!!

AMEN AND AMEN


#51-A Little Girl’s Perspective

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

My new young friend, Katy Ballance, shared something about their family’s recent move from a 30-member congregation to work with a church of 350. Lucy, their almost-four-year-old daughter, looked around during the singing in worship and then, eyes wide, asked, “Daddy, is this all my family?” Katy said she and her husband, Colton, shared a meaningful look with each other before they answered, “Yes, this is our family.”

Out of the mouths of babes. I can just envision Lucy’s wonder, can’t you? First of all, kudos to Colton and Katy for their excellent parenting. They’d obviously taught their daughter about the church being God’s family, to the extent that she understood it to be her very own family! But second, what if we all emulated Lucy’s response? What if, every time we gathered together as a church, we looked around and acknowledged, “Yes, this is my family!” Seems like some beautiful things would result:

Awe. There’s a big difference between 30 and 350 and that sweet little girl was taking it all in. More friends! More adopted grandparents to love on her! More fellow Bible class kids! Whatever was going through her young mind, she was amazed at her new family. I’m so glad for the reminder. It’s easy to take things for granted. Our church family consists of the members who attend where we worship, but it is much bigger than that. There are Christians the world over. When we travel, we can find a church family to worship with. When we go overseas, we can find church family, even if they speak a different language. Whether 30 or 350, they’re our family. I hope we never lose the wonder over that!

Gratitude. God has been so good to us many times through His people. I could easily do a year’s series just on that one aspect of the church. We learn from each other, encourage each other, help each other, worship together, do life together, win souls together…God did that for us.

Ownership. Sometimes we can get caught up in the shortcomings or disappointments of fellow Christians. But taking a moment to look around and remember who they are will put them back in our hearts where they belong. They are MY family. We may not always see eye to eye on everything. We may not always treat each other perfectly. But I belong to them and they belong to me. This means I will love them. I will extend grace to them and they will for me. In addition to that, because they are MY family, I will feel protective of them and stand up for them.

Yes, Lucy, they’re all your family. Thank you for the reminder to embrace that with everything I’ve got.

Cute little Lucy Ballance

#50- The Mission-Minded

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

What does it mean to be mission-minded? It means you are willing to go wherever people need to hear about Jesus. The apostles left everything when Jesus said, “Follow Me” (Matt. 4:19). (Interesting side note…Jesus said “Follow Me” in 12 different conversations!) Paul traveled the Mediterranean world to spread the gospel (Acts 13-20). The early Christians “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Today there are missionaries serving in foreign countries and in “mission fields” in our own country. Some have the un-fun job of raising full-time support in order to live and teach somewhere that’s not even their culture. That means they’re stepping out of their comfort zone twice over! Some have taken on multiple jobs just to make it possible to work with tiny congregations who can’t afford to pay a preacher. God bless the mission-minded!

God can use US to bless the mission-minded. What if we all adopted a missionary this Christmas? Here are some ways we could make theirs a little more merry:

  • Add them to your prayer list and let them know your family is praying for them every day.
  • Send a card of encouragement in the mail (the REAL mail). Include Scriptures that will remind them God sees their efforts.
  • Arrange to send them a Christmas bonus. Sometimes churches give their ministers a holiday bonus and this is often used for family gifts or special needs. I imagine there are many missionaries who would appreciate something like that. Perhaps your church family could gather monetary donations to send.
  • Send the good stuff. Instead of sending used curriculum that we couldn’t give away for free (not that there’s anything wrong with that, ha), how about sending brand new, shiny, current curriculum and visual aids? You could send a link to an online store and ask them to create a wishlist.
  • Put together a care package of their favorite treats. Their idea of treats might be different than ours. They often crave things they no longer have access to (things that we take for granted). Ask what they miss the most and they’ll probably include things like taco seasoning, Crystal Light, and certain shampoo brands. Again, your church family can help. Put out a list of items for everyone to gather and then ship them with an encouraging note.

Bonus points for asking another friend or family to join you in adopting a missionary!

“Go into all the world…” I thank God for the mission-minded who have taken this command to heart, who, in some cases, have literally moved to other lands. They see the big picture and had the courage and faith to take the big steps. God is using them the world over! Let’s zoom in on an individual or two and hold up their hands this season. We can call it the Aaron and Hur Project (Exodus 17:11-12). 🙂

Bulletin board from “Safari for Souls” in Arusha, TZ. It reads “Let Your Light Shine in 2009.”

#49-the Plan of Salvation

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

It’s not the church’s plan; it’s God’s. But it’s simple and it’s for everybody.

Many have asked, “What must I do to be saved?” I’m thankful that the Bible gives the answer. It would be confusing to seek this truth in the world…so much contradiction! But God made it plain, easy to understand, straightforward, uncomplicated.

We all have a sin problem that separates us from God (Rom. 3:23; Isa. 59:2).

Because God wants a relationship with us, He reached out to us by sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins (Rom. 5:8). Grace in action!

If we want a relationship with God, we reach out to Him by being baptized into His Son for the removal of that sin problem (Rom. 6:1-4; Gal. 3:27). Faith in action! At the moment of baptism, the Lord adds us to His body, the church (Acts 2:37-47; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-6).

And the Christian life is all about walking in the Light so the “blood of Jesus continually cleanses us from our sins” and we have “fellowship one with another” (1 John 1:7).

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”

(Titus 2:11)

#48- No One is Overlooked

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

Jesus saw everyone. He saw the crowds and the individuals. He saw the young and the old. He saw the rich and the poor. He saw the ones everyone else tried hard not to see.

A blind beggar heard Jesus walking by and cried out to Him for help. Everyone else told the beggar to hush but Jesus said, “Call him over!” (Mark 10:46-52).

A lonely, desperate woman worked her way through a crowd just to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Jesus turned around and looked at her and called her “daughter” (Mark 5:25-34).

Jesus went out of His way to encourage a woman who’d lived a hard life and tried to keep to herself (John 4:4-42).

Jesus chose to stay in the home of a man whom everyone else hated (Luke 19:1-10).

He offered hope to a man who was condemned and at the end of his rope (Luke 23:39-43), comfort to a woman everyone else avoided (Luke 7:36-50), and great value and worth to a poor widow who brought little to the table.

No one was overlooked by Jesus. And because of that, no one is overlooked by His church. Jesus left an example for us and now we get to see, engage with, and value those who may often be invisible to others (1 John 2:6). How do we prove that God’s love abides in us? We see others and open our hearts to them (1 John 3:17).

“As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.”

(Psalm 40:17)

#47- Joyful Hearts

52 Reasons to Love the Church

Kathy Pollard

I’m so thankful for Rheanna Plemons. She is a remarkable Christian woman who organized ‘Joyful Hearts,’ a program which makes it possible for those who are physically or mentally challenged to feel like they are the valuable part of the church they truly are. Our church family has been blessed in many ways because of our Joyful Hearts:

A place to belong. Joyful Hearts has brought us delightful folks from the community because Rheanna has provided a service that caters especially to their needs. Everyone desires a place to belong. Everyone wants to feel seen and understood. It’s a reminder of what God’s church is all about.

Extra smiles. Those who show up for the Joyful Hearts class have extra wide, beautiful smiles. They light up our gathering!

Big hearts. Many hands have joined together to make this program possible each week. Rheanna, of course, and also Michele Wheat, Kim Eubanks, and several of our young people. Joyful Hearts is the perfect name for it because it aptly describes those who jump in to help, too.

Opportunities to serve. Speaking of our young people, Rheanna has provided a way for them to be involved in serving our church family and community. I especially love it when she has young men join the class to help teach song-leading! Serving causes growth and a sense of purpose. The Joyful Hearts program brings about much of that as many serve together.

Shining the Light. Every now and then we get a card in our church mailbox from a member of the Joyful Hearts class. They also do various service projects (like helping gather supplies for flood relief). Their ages are different, their challenges are different, but their souls are the same. They are God’s children and He is using them in His kingdom. We’ve all been blessed and encouraged by them. We’ve all learned from them.

God has shown us such goodness through these Joyful Hearts and we’re thankful they’re a part of our family!

If you’d like to learn more about Joyful Hearts, visit their fb page.

Rheanna and her son, Caden

#46- Seeing God’s Goodness

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

“Anyone who says, ‘God is not good,’ clearly has not met His church!” Our oldest son, Gary, wrote these words. He definitely experienced it firsthand when he spent 10 days in the ICU. Christians from all over rallied around him with visits, cards, money, and gifts. It was so touching for all of us that I wrote about it.

Now my husband’s brother, Brent, is in the ICU. And once again, our hearts are being stirred by the thoughtful gestures of fellow Christians. We’ve received countless messages and lots of prayers. People have offered to sit with Brent to give his parents a break. Others have offered to house them so they don’t have to make the hour and a half trek each day. It’s a helpless feeling to be far away from loved ones in times like these but, oh, how relieving it is to see surrounding Christians jump in to help!

God’s church clearly demonstrates His goodness to any who are paying attention. These are just a couple of examples. I could share MANY more, and I know you could, too. In addition to practical help during times of trouble, the church family embraces each other in love and appreciation and holds each other up in times of weakness. This shows they’re doing their very best to live by grace, mercy, compassion, generosity, and love…the very traits of God.

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.“

(Gal. 6:10)

I’m so, so grateful. When I pray for those I love who are hurting or struggling, I also thank God for the caring hearts of His people.

I know God is perfect and His people are not. I know there are times when we miss opportunities to help, we let each other down, we hurt one another. We’re flawed, we’re busy, and we can be selfish with our time and resources. Hopefully we acknowledge it when it happens and strive to do better next time. Because God keeps using us anyway to be a light to those around us (Matt. 5:16).

I’ve seen way more grace than grumbling, way more help than hostility, and way more appreciation than apathy. It makes me want to do my part better to show others the goodness of God.

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!“

Psalm 27:13


#45- Sweet Communion

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

A few quiet moments every Sunday, head bowed, heart lifted. Maybe you close your eyes and rest your palm on the cover of the Bible in your lap. Or reach for the hand of a loved one next to you. Maybe you flip to one of the gospels and read about your Savior’s sacrifice.

This precious time in worship centers our souls in at least four ways:

  • The Blessing. Jesus set the example when He blessed the bread before breaking it (Mk. 14:22). The prayer before the Lord’s Supper is an opportunity to give thanks (1 Cor. 11:24), to remember Him (Lk. 22:19), and to examine ourselves (1 Cor. 11:28).
  • The Body. “This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:24). The unleavened bread represents the body of Jesus, willingly sacrificed on the cross for us. “He bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:23-24).
  • The Blood. The “fruit of the vine” (Matt. 26:29) represents the blood of Christ. “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:28).
  • The Body. Not the physical body of Jesus this time, but His body the church (Eph. 1:22-23). We “gather together” for this memorial (Ac. 20:7). Even though we are many individuals, we are one body because of the cross (1 Cor. 10:17). We are united because of the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13). It is sweet fellowship! “Hearts are brought in closer union while partaking of the bread.”

“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”

(1 Cor. 10:16)

#41- Young People

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

What’s not to love about young people? From children all the way up through college aged, many of them are joyful, enthusiastic, hard workers, servants, and VERY evangelistic. But there are a couple of qualities about young people that I especially appreciate:

They’re not afraid to ask questions. In class or in person, young people like to ask questions. They want answers so they can figure things out, and they expect those answers to come straight from the Bible. They ask about worship, baptism, women’s role, the second coming, angels, relationships, and Bible translations. And if they’re not satisfied with the answers, they’ll tell you so. If something doesn’t make sense to them, they’ll keep at it until it does. As a result, they are building their faith and their understanding of Scripture. Shouldn’t we all be so fearless and persistent? If we don’t really get why we do what we do, shouldn’t we be humble enough to ask questions and dig for answers (2 Tim. 3:17)? Shouldn’t it bother us if we don’t know enough to defend our faith (1 Pet. 3:15)? Spending time with young people challenges me to keep growing in my knowledge of God’s Word!

They love to be together. It really matters to them. There aren’t many things more beautiful than young people getting together to sing, sitting together in worship, or supporting each other. They act happy when they see one another. They don’t roll their eyes when another ‘youth activity’ is planned because they enjoy spending time with each other. They see togetherness as essential to their happiness.I remember feeling that way when I was young. Shame on me for the times when I forget that God wants His people to love being together (Heb. 10:24-25; Rom. 12:10).

I thank God for the energy, personality, and fun our young people bring to the church family table. And I’m eternally grateful for their inspiring examples of no-nonsense learning and close-knit community.

Some great girls getting together for Bible study! (photo credit: Shedona Gutierrez)

#40- Amazing Grace

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

Grace is the foundation of Christianity. After all, we are saved by it (Eph. 2:5,8; Titus 2:11). In every single epistle Paul wrote, he included some version of the phrase, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:7 et al.). In both of Peter’s letters, he wrote “Grace and peace be multiplied to you” (1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Pet. 1:2). Where can one see more of this grace than among believers trying their best to imitate Christ?

Grace is a Gift

Grace is from Christ and for those who are in Christ (2 Tim. 2:1). Notice what the Bible emphasizes concerning this gift:

  • It’s free (Rom. 3:23). We can’t earn it (Rom. 11:6). It was given to us (Rom. 12:6).
  • It’s abundant (Jn. 1:16). It “abounds to many” (Rom. 5:15). It’s more than enough to cover our sin (Rom. 5:20). God’s grace is for our horrible mistakes and for our dark pasts, too.

What does this have to do with loving the church? When I have this proper view and understanding of grace, it affects how I treat others. I’m not worthy of grace. I didn’t earn it. It’s for everyone who accepts it. That’s humbling. It helps me see my brothers and sisters in Christ as fellow grace-recipients. Therefore, I will treat them as such. I will love them wholeheartedly. And they will do the same for me.

Grace is a lifestyle.

Jesus exudes grace in His interactions with others. Think of the following beautiful examples:

  • The woman who was a sinner (Luke 7). “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
  • The woman caught in adultery (John 8). “I do not condemn you; go and sin no more.”
  • The woman at the well (John 4). He offered her “living water.”
  • The woman with the hemorrhage (Mark 5). “Your faith has made you well.”
  • Zacchaeus (Luke 19). “Today I will stay at your house.”
  • Bartimaeus (Mark 10). “Your faith has made you well.”
  • Peter (Luke 22). “I have prayed that your faith will not fail.”

We can’t perform miracles. We can’t take away anyone’s sins. But we can extend grace. I’ve been the recipient of grace (especially from my husband) and every time it made me feel loved, grateful, and convicted to do better.

Twice in Romans five we’re told that grace “reigns.” The church is made of people who, though imperfectly, are trying to live a life ruled by grace. Not just when it comes to helping those who stumble, but also when confronted by those who seem to be prickly, or disagree with us, or are so very different than us. With Christ IN us, we view them through His grace-lens. So, like Jesus’ example, their well-being is our concern and we will look for ways to assure their faith and promote their peace. All by God’s design for His people, the church.

“Continue in the grace of God.”

(Acts 13:43)

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com