Don't Go to Church

So, let me be completely honest for a minute:

I think I'm getting to the point where "attractional ministry" is a foreign concept to me.

Like, you know the whole thing where you invite people to church, cause that's where they'll hear about God? Or, that's where they'll find support? 

Or, (and this is the one that did it for me) that's where the epic preacher that'll be doing a healing and Baptism of the Holy Spirit talk and ministry time will be ("so come and get healed")?

Man, I used to have the concept down pat: "People need to hear about God. People need to get healed and Baptized in the Holy Spirit. People need 'fellowship'. There's a dude at that building that will be talking about God, and giving an alter call for people to be healed and Baptized in the Holy Spirit, and there are other people there to 'fellowship' with. So, let's get everyone to 'go to church', and everything will be good! :)"

Everything was figured out :P

Then God goes and takes me on this epic ride of these past few months.

He goes and shows me that WE can lay hands on the sick, command the sickness to leave, and it must leave.
He showed me that WE can minister the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to others if it's something they want and are willing to receive. All we/they need to do is ask for it, and walk in what God gives.
He's showing me that if someone needs to hear a word from God, often (since we're God's sons/daughters, and we're there and see the problem) God's got something for US to say that'll show God's love in that situation (and often, better than a general, "for everyone" word that a pastor gives on a Sunday morning can do).

The church is not a building.
You are the church.

This thing is not about "inviting people to church". 

It's about this: Wherever you and I go, we expose the glory, grace, and love of God to everyone we come in contact with, just like Jesus did, and we destroy the works of the devil as we go - whether sickness and disease, depression and condemnation, or slavery and malnutrition - just like Jesus did. Anything that doesn't look like heaven, we change it by the power of Christ in us.

You don't need to invite someone to a building for them to receive from God.
You - yes, YOU! - are fully equipped to reveal God in every situation you're in.

You see cancer? Kill it. (Matt 10:8)

You see depression and hate? Show them God's peace and love.
You see poverty? Give what you've got, knowing God will provide for you. (Matt 6)

Quit thinking you need something more before you can serve God. That's the hugest lie of life.


I'll leave you with the text I saw on a t-shirt a while ago, which pretty much summarizes what I've been trying to say :P

Front: "DON'T GO TO CHURCH"
Back: "BE THE CHURCH
CAUTION: SIGNS WILL FOLLOW THOSE WHO BELIEVE
And these SIGNS WILL FOLLOW THOSE WHO BELIEVE: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:17-18"

Love you guys!





DISCLAIMER!!!!
PLEASE READ BEFORE YELLING AT ME ;)
I'm not saying you should stop meeting with other Christians. I'm not saying you should stop meeting in a building and worshiping God together or any of that.
I'm saying "WE ARE the CHURCH".
When I hear "I'm going to church now", it's gotten to the point where that statement confuses me.
How can you go to something you are?
We are the church, so be it wherever you are.
We don't turn in on and off for Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.
We live it 24/7/365.


Ok, now you can yell if you still want to :P :)