Happy New Year! January is a time when many people (myself included) like to reevaluate and set goals for themselves. But too often (and this is probably a product of our Western culture) we can be very individualistic in this process. We ask questions like, what do I want out of this new year? What would be good for me this year? Maybe we include our family in this, but rarely does it go beyond that.

Can I propose a corporate goal for the body of Christ? Connect to a local church. And by connect, I mean attend weekend services weekly, plug in to a place to serve, and if your church offers any sort of small groups, find a group to go deeper with. Become a MEMBER.

Some might scoff at that. Why do I need my name on a church roster? Isn’t it enough that I just show up when I’m in town and don’t oversleep? Isn’t church supposed to be for me, to fill my cup for the week?

No, no, and no.

According to A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament, the word translated church means “a community, congregation, church, society.” This is what Jesus referred to when he talked about building his church on the rock (Matt. 16:18). We were not meant to do life alone. We need a community. And a local church is a ready-made community just waiting to welcome you. But you can’t claim to be a part of a community you never show up to and participate in, so get involved. Your local body needs the gifts and talents the Holy Spirit has uniquely blessed you with (Rom. 12:3-8 & 1 Cor. 12:4-11).

In Hebrews we are commanded to obey and submit to the leaders who “are keeping watch over your souls” (Heb. 13:17). It is good to place ourselves under the authority of a spiritual leader, and joining a church is a practical way to do this. Find a church that is committed to the Bible (check out their statement of belief) and jump in with both feet.

The Bible compares believers to a body with Christ at the head (Col 1:18, 1 Cor. 12). The body needs all it’s parts to work properly, and the church needs all believers to function as it should. When you sit on the sidelines, you miss out on the blessing of being a part of the work God is doing in and through your local context. Why would you want to settle for the occasional “filling of your cup” on a Sunday morning, when you could be a part of the hands and feet of Jesus week in and week out, being filled, and pouring out?

It is strange, but I feel like I can experience both of these at the same time. I lead a small group of women, and each Wednesday morning I prepare to pour out to them, but I leave each week feeling filled up by them. I also lead a community outreach team, and though the work is definitely a pouring out, I still leave each event or service project feeling filled up. This can only happen when you are committed and involved.

So if you have been hesitant to fully commit to a church, or have just been a Sunday-morning pew-sitter for a while, can I encourage you to take that next step and jump in with both feet? Charles Spurgeon once said, “If I had never joined a church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never have joined one at all. And the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us.” Don’t wait for the “perfect” place or season. Show up, sign up, and serve your community.