Lead by Example

As a kid, I tolerated church, but I never really liked going.  Services were too long and the preacher rambled on, whooping and hollering about only God knows what (pun intended). The only good part was the singing and the other kids. 

In my family I was like an only child, my closest sibling above me is 13 years older and my closest younger sibling is 6 years younger. So going to church where there were dozens of other kids my age was pretty fun.

I say all this to say, I never thought I would love church the way I do now.

Although I never went regularly, I did grow to love my home church. The entire church of about 300 people was made up of several local families, and I seemed to be related to all of them. There was no lack of Iove, and each Sunday felt like a family reunion. But I never seemed to be getting the right things from church. Sure, I felt a little uplifted and inspired when I left, but I never really understood what it meant to be a Christian.

Since settling down in the Fredericksburg area after college, I'd been looking for a church home in the area, and had attended a couple, but none appealed to me like Zion Church at Fredericksburg.

Zion Church at Fredericksburg is an extension of an established church, Zion Church at Lottsburg, in Northumberland County. I'd heard they were starting a church in town and I was excited about going. I attended the opening service in July last year and immediately fell in love with this church.

Now, what is falling in love with a church? Shouldn't I be falling in love with Jesus or God? Yes! But I'm learning that becoming a Christian is a process.

Going to church that very first Sunday was a new experience. The moment I turned into the parking lot, to the moment the doors were opened for me, to being greeted and seated; I felt like royalty. I felt like every person was waiting for me so they could cater to me. But they weren't just catering to me; they were catering to my mom, my kids and everyone else that came. They showered every one of us with so much kindness, respect and love.  I felt their love from the moment I walked in to the minute I drove off the parking lot.

Although I couldn't explain what I experienced at the time, I now realize they were treating me like their brothers and sisters in Christ. They were being true Christians; treating everyone with love and respect. Their light shined right through and touched me in such a way that I immediately fell in love with them.

The service that Sunday was filled with singing, testimonies, well wishes and even dancing; but I don’t remember the songs they sang or who the other dignitaries were that spoke. The pastor, Apostle John Bibbens, probably preached an awesome service, but I don't remember what the sermon topic was or the scripture reference. From that service, I only remember the way those people made me feel. I could have been the world’s worst sinner, but at that church I was treated like a Child of God.

My Point is this…

Many churches are looking to increase their membership and lead people to Christ and salvation. You can stand on hundreds of street corners preaching the Gospel, pass out thousands of flyers, and spend millions in television and radio advertising, but there's no better way to show someone to Christ, than showing them Christ in you.

How do you display your Christianity?