Sunday is one day. It’s a big day for sure within the church, but it’s just one day. It is the day that most churches gather for a time of worship. These gatherings will vary from community to community, but generally speaking, there will be some music, a message from the Bible, and often a celebration of communion. Usually there is something for kids and every so often, churches might go the extra mile to offer a warm cup of coffee. My question is not so much what happens on Sunday, rather who is it all for?
WHO IS SUNDAY REALLY FOR?
Is it for Christians? Is it for non-Christians? Or is it both? Should worship gatherings be geared towards those who are seeking God, i.e. ‘seekers’? Or should worship gatherings be geared towards Christians – men and women who really want to grow in their faith, be equipped, and encouraged to love God?
Over the years, I’ve received my fair share of criticisms about Sunday gatherings – specifically what happens at GENESIS on Sunday. Everything from “GENESIS is all about being ‘seeker-sensitive.’” I’ve been told that “…there’s not enough meat in the messages” – that they are just too simple, more for the ‘beginner Christians.’ There have certainly been lots of comments on the space itself, and then there’s the music… many comments on that. Too loud, too new, too loud – oh, did I already mention that one?
To be honest, comments as mentioned above have been hard at times, but I absolutely understand that people have expectations of what a Sunday should look like and feel like. When it doesn’t meet their expectations, there will be comments. I get that, and I’m ok with that.
BUT WHO IS SUNDAY FOR?
If you think worship gatherings are for Christians, I’d say you’re wrong.
If you think worship gatherings are for non-Christians, I’d say you’re wrong.
Christian or non-Christian, worship gatherings are not for you, nor are they about you. Christians and non-Christians will attend, but at the end of the day, it’s not about those who attend.
SUNDAY IS ABOUT GOD… IT’S ABOUT JESUS.
Actually every day is about Jesus, but specifically when the church gathers on Sunday, those gatherings are about Him. They are for God and to be about Him!
I realize that this is not a new concept, but often understanding a concept does not always translate to how we approach something. Often the mindset is this: “I really hope the message is inspiring today” or “I really hope they sing my favorite songs today.” Wanting a message or music that will be helpful to you is clearly not wrong, but at the end of the day, if we approach Sunday as something we get rather than something we give, we’ll miss the point.
RECEIVING OR GIVING?
Why is it so hard to give on Sunday… and no I’m not talking about money? I need the message… I need the music… I need a great cup of coffee. Who doesn’t love to receive, but why is it so hard to give to God on Sunday?
If we come to church empty, we’ll want to consume as much as we can because we’ve been starving all week. If Sunday is about getting filled up for the week ahead, you’ll generally be disappointed. And disappointed people tend to be the most critical people. But imagine if hundreds of people showed up on Sunday already filled up… imagine what that would be like. It would be a party – plain and simple, it would be an all-out celebration of all that God had been giving us throughout the week. Thus Sunday becomes more about giving back to God what He’s graciously filled us with throughout the week.
WHO IS SUNDAY FOR?
It’s for ALL people to attend, Christian or non-Christian, but it’s all about God. So if you want to ‘experience’ an amazing time of worship on Sunday, don’t attend hoping to get something; rather attend ready to give something. And the beauty of giving to God who has generously given to us every day all day is that we cannot out give Him – He has even more of Himself that He wants to give us when we gather. Thus Christians are encouraged by what God gives and non-Christians see that life with God through faith in Jesus is the very thing they've been searching for.
Already looking forward to an epic party with you all this Sunday!
