Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!
First off Lord, I want to thank You for yet another wonderful Small Group gathering at the house last night. We’re three weeks into the “Treasures of the Transformed Life” study, and so far it’s been an encouraging and inspiring series. And while the course material has certainly been an excellent starting point for our discussions, the tangential conversation topics that have evolved from that syllabus have been even more of a Blessing to the group.
This week’s section was called “Jumping in With Both Feet”, and focused primarily on the role of our church family in our Walk with Christ, and also how important our presence is for that family to thrive.
Without going into a great deal of detail, the chapters this past week were dedicated to helping us understand how significant a commitment to our church membership truly is. The author draws a very distinct line between our “attendance” and our “presence” at church, making the differentiation that when we’re “plugged in” to the other members of the congregation, we open ourselves to listening, caring and aiding them when they’re in need. In addition, when we joyfully share the unique combinations of Spiritual Gifts that we’ve each been Blessed with, we strengthen and expand the Body of Christ, which in turn aids us in growing our faith, and in showing Your light to others. The Apostle Paul wrote of this relationship in his Epistle to the Romans:
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” – Romans 12:4-8 (ESV)
Our group last night was an excellent example of what Paul described; coming together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and sharing the encouragement, support and perspective that Your intimate presence in our lives brings about.
Heavenly Father,
All-in-all Lord, last night was another wonderful, inspired gathering, and I thank You for bringing us together once again to dig deeper into our relationships with You. Please continue to guide us in Your will, that we may grow both as Your Blessed Children, and as members of the Body of Christ.
In Jesus’ Name we pray,
Amen.
~Phather Phil
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Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
“attendance” and “presence” are definitely 2 DIFFERENT concepts…and they certainly play out differently also.
Thank you again for your wonderful insights and encouragement.
This is us getting down to Kingdom business… “when we joyfully share the unique combinations of Spiritual Gifts that we’ve each been Blessed with, we strengthen and expand the Body of Christ, which in turn aids us in growing our faith, and in showing Your light to others.” Great post… there is a big difference between “attendance” and “presence.” I’m sure we’ve all been in that place where we’ve just shown up on Sunday without getting involved. But, being an active part of the body is not only an act of obedience it’s also where He richly blesses us! Blessings Phil!
I so agree! It’s not simply attending, it’s being plugging-in, making meaningful connections with other Christians traveling beside us.
Being a part of our praise band at church has offered me so many wonderful opportunities to connect with and get to know people who have so enriched my spiritual walk. I hope I have done the same for them. And, everyday, I pray my daily devotions will make a difference for the Lord in someone’s life.
Thanks for this wonderful post, Phather Phil!
Blessings always!
This really hits me Phil. I am very good at dipping my toes in and not diving fully into a church project. God has been nudging me on this lately so your post is timely for me to ponder. Thanks for sharing
I love gathering together with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I know He put us here to encourage one another and build each other up!
Phil,
I love my church group, I have a lovely group of women I gather with every Thursday evening and they are what helps me stay connected and plugged in. I love them because I can say anything and know that they willnot judge me, that whatever is said in group does not leave it. I love how distinguised between just attending church and being present in it, too many people attend church but never become fully present in it. Blessings to you Phil, awesome work you are doing to strengthen the body of Christ.
Attendance and presence are two different things. Just showing up for church every week isn’t what it’s all about. We should go, not with the attitude of what we can get, but what we can give.
We spoke of about this in our small group last night too. We can get so much encouragement from one another as the church. That sounds like a wonderful study!!
Attendence and presence are two different things. I don’t want to just be there. I want to serve and be a part of. Great thoughts.
It’s always about doing our Father’s Business, Keep our minds and hearts stead fast on Him ..amen