Pastor's Corner

5 May
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Mid-Week Challenge

As we begin to see the “light at the end of the tunnel” of this past year of social distancing and isolation, I am thankful for the lessons I have learned along the way.  A year ago I would not have thought it possible or necessary for our church to provide a weekly LIVE version of our services.  The reason is that we did not start West Haven to be an online option to worship.  In fact, I don’t believe that is what the Lord had in mind when He called believers to gather as a Church.  It is clear that His intentions were for us to physically gather together often as He designed us for relationships.  That can’t happen when we don’t interact with one another.  It has been a blessing to be able to use technology for a season to maintain contact and a means of worshiping together, but it was never intended to be a lasting option.  That hasn’t stopped some from planning on making online their new church home.  If you are one of these, allow me to direct you to an article “6 Reasons Doing Church Away from Church Isn’t Church” by Eric Davis 

https://thecripplegate.com/doing-church-away-from-church-is-not-church/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCripplegate+%28The+Cripplegate%29 

Davis shares six reasons I would like for you to consider before you make online your new church home:

1. We wouldn’t approach other areas of life like that.

2. Since we are not God, we cannot redefine things that are God’s.

3. Worship of God is not a self-determined endeavor.

4. Church means something specific in the New Testament.
5. Gathering corporately observes that God has saved us into the body of Christ.

6. Church constitutes, in part, a group of believers under the committed care of qualified leadership present to bless the local body.

The Church was created and established by God.  We are given specifics on how it is to function, exist and what it is to accomplish.  If your only exposure to a local body is through an online method you are living in disobedience.  My challenge to you is reevaluate your church attendance plans for the future.  There is a time and season for all things, use common sense, but trust in the Lord and follow His instruction and you will not go wrong.  

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens – Ecclesiastes 3:1 

Serving the Savior,

Bro. Jonathan

By: Dr. Jonathan Richerson

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