tuesday reflection for week 8

The church I went to while in college, UBC, never ceases to amaze me. Many of things that we talk about in class are things that UBC does naturally and has done for a long time. For example, today Ryan gave us statistics about the efficacy of church involvement in the lives of Christians. These statistics come from the Barna Research Group. Ryan said that researchers have begun to notice that the lives of Christians are not noticeably affected or different until they are involved in six to ten hours a week of "church activities." So, those people who are in and out on Sunday mornings and feel they set their quota for the week are not going to feel compelled to live differently. I'm sure occasions exist where these people are compelled to live differently, but for the most part, Sunday morning or evening church has no effect on their life.

These statistics stress the realization that church does not happen on Sunday mornings. Sunday mornings are simply the time to come together as a community and celebrate the other activities in which they have been involved with their smaller group of people at the church. This is why UBC amazes me. They have activities—community groups and sports activities namely—throughout the week that encourages people to be involved in "church activities" outside of Sunday morning. Also, you can tell the difference between the people who are involved in these other activities. Some people think that being involved in a church like UBC is too difficult because you have to put forth an effort. DUH! If you want to be a part of a community and find your identity within that community, then you are going to have to work for it.

You cannot be spoon fed your entire life. Unfortunately, people see church as the time to be spoon fed. Thus, they come on Sunday mornings to "get something out of it," and if they do not get what they want, then they are upset. The real church happens between Monday through Saturday. This is the church that each person contributes to, and spoon feeding is not allowed because, frankly, life is not spoon fed to us. The good and the bad come flying at us whether we like it or not.

Toss the spoon. Get involved. Build relationships.