CHALLENGE: Sponge or Active

This blog is a challenge. Not only to you, but myself as well. Feel free to close the tab if you aren't up for the challenge. You will, most likely, have to get out of your comfort zone. Consider this as a warning.


I've officially decided that Second Baptist Church of Conway is going to be my home away from home church. This took a lot of thinking and praying. I began praying about finding a church a while back and I'm thankfully surprised that it wasn't near as hard as I imagined. It's amazing what can happen when we trust in God. He is the creator. So why is it so hard to give absolutely everything to Him? I know that I couldn't have made this decision and feel 100% at peace with it without God's guidance.


Having said that, Second Baptist is everything that I dreamed in finding a church. It's almost just like Indian Springs--without the same people of course. Everyone is very welcoming and friendly. From the minute I walked in the door, I was welcomed. Many people asked my to come to their Home Group on Sunday or Wednesday nights--which I am extremely excited about. One guy even bribed me with $20/each week. Not going to lie, that sounds pretty good to a jobless-college student. It really did feel good to be asked by so many people. I'm actually wanted somewhere. The people who barely knew me asked me numerous times to get involved. Who does that? Oh yeah, we don't because it's "hard."


Every church could use a little bit of Second Baptist's college ministry. They know what's going on. They know exactly how to make someone who is completely out of their comfort zone feel 100% welcome. If we are going to call ourselves Christians, we should be the hands and feet of God. We should use our "gifts" to further His Kingdom. When visitors walk in the church, they should feel so welcome that they don't want to leave. So welcome that they can't wait until the next time the doors open. Okay, I know what you're thinking--that's hard and I don't want to do that. Well, I didn't either. For the past 18 years, I've gone to the same church. I've sat in the same relative seat. I've been that "sponge" member. The member who doesn't always feel like welcoming someone. Not anymore. I'm going to challenge you--whoever is reading this (if anyone is)--and myself to be the proactive church member who goes out of their comfort zone to welcome someone so much so that their comfort zone changes and it becomes awkward to be a sponge.


In John 15, Jesus says ⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. ⁷ But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! ⁸ When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father." How in the world can we bear fruit if we are sitting in the same spot in church--and when we don't, we get a little upset (as if it has our name on it or something dumb like that)? 
To remain in God we need to 
1. Be in the Word of God (Relationship with God) 
2. Get plugged in a Church & Small group (Development as a Christian with accountability)
3. Find a ministry to get involved in (get your unchurched/unsaved friends to church--YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO MISSION TRIPS FOR IT TO COUNT! That's what many of us think. That's what I thought.


Sunday, when the pastor told us we would be in John 15, I couldn't help but laugh. Apparently I haven't been getting the idea of the passage. Yes, I memorized some of it. I heard Mark (old youth pastor) speak on it at leadership on Sunday nights. Still, I didn't know why I kept getting followed with this text. God definitely woke me up Sunday. I have to be a proactive Christian. I can't remain in my comfort zone. I can't tell myself any more that I'm doing "enough" because there is always something else to be done.


You and I have a few days to think about this before Sunday comes. Pray for courage--whatever it takes. Get out there and welcome someone new so they can feel apart of something like I do at Second Baptist.