When we understand what the church is and what happens when it gathers, it impacts the way we walk into the gathering. Tony Payne explains: “We’re walking into a gathering that God himself has called together, as part of his majestic plan to save and gather his people around the Lord Jesus Christ. We’re walking into an outpost or foretaste of the great spiritual, heavenly assembly of the people of God.”[1] How we walk into church, then, matters.
Paul also taught the same thing. He urged the Ephesian believers to approach the church’s gatherings with purpose: “Look carefully then how you walk … be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:15–21). The Lord desires his people’s Spirit-filled participation!
Let’s take a few moments to reflect on how we walk into the church’s gatherings each Sunday.
Before You Walk Into Church
Decide to go—prepare on Saturday to worship on Sunday.
Pray for those who will come and what we will do together on Sunday. Pray for fellow members by name. Pray for guests who will join us.
Prepare for what we will do together. Read the sermon text several times (Sermon schedule). Learn the songs we will sing (Spotify link).
Arrive early.
Pray about where to sit. How does your seat selection facilitate worship and loving one another?
After You Walk Into Church
Care for guests by making sure they have anything needed, such as a bible or an info guide.
Assist with nuts and bolts. If something needs to be done, take the initiative to help.
Pray, sing, and enthusiastically. Own prayers personally by agreeing with a hearty “AMEN!.”
Listen to the sermon attentively. Have your Bible open and heart engaged. Make sure your phone is not a distraction.
Consider your life. How will you think, believe, and act in light of the sermon?
When Church Finishes but Doesn’t
Linger in conversation for 10-15 minutes after the service.
Greet guests first. Introduce yourself to someone you don’t recognize.
Trigger spiritually helpful conversations by bouncing off the sermon: "That was really interesting what the pastor said about _____. What did you think?"
Ask others how they came to salvation in Christ: “Phil, I don’t think I remember how you came to follow Christ. How did it happen with you?
Ask others how you can pray for them & pray for them at that time.
How to Walk Out of Church
Go to lunch with others.
Apply the sermon to your life.
Remain connected to the church during the week.
Plan to invite non-believers next Sunday.
Check in on anyone you noticed was absent.
BIG PLANS THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, May 18, we will meet as usual at 10:30 am for gathered worship. In addition to singing, praying, and preaching, we plan to baptize Diane Robinson. After the service, we will move into the fellowship hall for a covered-dish lunch. Please bring a dish or two to share (the church will not provide meat, so please bring main dishes, too). Toward the end of the meal, after everyone is served, we will observe the Supper by partaking of the bread and cup. The church will provide elements. Following the meal, we will begin the members meeting. Please prioritize this gathering by keeping your calendar clear until after 3:00 pm on Sunday.
For His Glory,
Pastor Thomas
[1] Adapted from Tony Payne, How to Walk Into Church (Mathias Media: 2015).