What a Local Church Should Be

A local church should be a place where people are released in their gifts and callings. It should not be just a place that you attend or where you consume. It should be a place where you are a disciple and grow. Sometimes people say to me, “Pastor I want to be mentored. I agree that having a one on one relationship with someone is important as a mentor. I have people in my life I consider mentors. However, as Bill Hybels says, “The local church is the hope of the world.” (I think we all know Jesus is the hope of the world but I understand what he is saying.) Your local church is a tremendous place to become a disciple as you get involved with others and change this world.. If all you do is consume then you never grow.

Jesus traveled with 12 disciples. Why not only one? Because, being involved with others is how God grows and mentors us. If you want to grow in God you cannot just attend a local church you must get involved and rub against other people. In Galatians 5:14 we read, “The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”” The “law” in the Old Testament in many ways points to the character of God. If you want the character of God in your life it is summed up by “Love your neighbor, (or fellow church member) as yourself.” Church members and volunteers are real people with real problems. Working together helps us grow as a disciple and your involvement in a local church is your opportunity to be mentored.

I love my local church that I pastor. It is filled with real people who really love Jesus and want to touch this world. The local church was God’s idea to disciple and mentor you!