A place where I can....

I'm finding myself in a precarious place and I think I need to make some changes. My mom called me Sunday morning and I missed her call because I was in another room. So, I call her right back and she says, "Oh I just figured you were in church." Trying to sidestep the guilt trip, I quickly rebuff, "Psshh, nawl I ain't been to church in over a year," like that makes any kind of sense, or is a good thing to say. My mother (a non-church goer herself) decides to crush my pinky toe and asks,  

"Are you and God not friends anymore?"

I continued to sidestep the guilty feelings laughing it off, but inside I was *wall sliding*. I am very aware of my straying away from the church and my reasons are plenty. At first, it was because I did not have transportation to carry me to the church of my choosing. Then, it was my frustration with the churches I was attending and their incessant foolishness. Now, it has become a habit to not even consider going to church at all unless I'm singing with RD. I was not raised in the church, by any means, but for the last dozen years it has been a staple of my life, hence my mother's concern.

I take serious issue with the way churches have been operating. They are so ridiculous ghetto trifling ratchet unbecoming of Christ. I am a firm believer in doing things decently and in order. There have been too many services that I've wanted to literally walk out of shaking my head. It is entirely too hard to find a church that meets all my picky needs. Lemme lay out some of my church must-haves so y'all can understand:

• A great music ministry - choir, worship team, and soloists whose sole job in the church is music (1 Chronicles 9:33). The music ministry is so important. When operating properly it should be like this:

"And all the Levites who were singers--all of those of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, with their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, having cymbals, harps, and lyres--stood at the east end of the altar, and with them 120 priests blowing trumpets; And when the trumpeters and singers were joined in unison, making one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and other instruments for song and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever, then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God." (2 Chronicles 5:12-14 NASB)

• An educated and proven leader - Not someone who feels called and doesn't want to earn a leadership position so they start their own church. 2 Timothy 2:15 says to "study to show yourself approved." If you haven't been properly educated in the faith, how can you educate others? 

• An orderly run service - the focus ought to be on God. Not social activities, not announcements, not celebrating the men/women/children/deacons/mothers. That is not the purpose of church! Do that ish afterward. Print it in the bulletin. Stop wasting my time. Also, I'm all for growing in the gifts of the Spirit. But 1 Corinthians 14 tells you that folk WILL try to make the focus on them and not on God. (An educated leader will not allow such disrespect in the house.)

• Adequate space and decoration - OK so this seems like a non-biblical reason, but I have a pet peeve about the layout of the Temple. God was quite specific when he told the Hebrews how to build the Temple. You gotta have room to operate. I shouldn't have to walk through the band pit to use the bathroom. And as for decoration, some churches go too far with promoting the pastor. I done seen whole wall murals of the pastor and first lady, but can't find any sign of Jesus.

• A booming youth ministry - Kids are distracting. They make too much noise. Take them aside and let them learn about Jesus on their level. Best ones I've seen were at Seeds of Greatness in DE and Cornerstone Community Church in SC. When I say booming, I mean growing. If kids enjoy church, they will stay with it. And they will be the future leaders.

• Diversity - I've been to plenty of churches that are all black or all white. Not bad places, but it is not that hard to blend, y'all!! Shake off the traditional mindset and open yourself up to a new experience. If you are not open to diversity then you aren't really familiar with Jesus and His way of thinking. He welcomes everyone to the table, so if your service is only focused on your cultural preference, step it up!

If all these things are happening, then I am a happy camper. I can get down with this type of ministry. Meanwhile, until I find it, me and Jesus are still homeboys. God knows I love Him more than life. I do need to step up my personal prayer and study life again. No doubt! So, if you see me in the street or on the innanets don't be scurred to check me boo! I need that accountability for real.