Church without the Hampster Wheel

Life is stressful, even without the Church! But many people are—or have been—worn out with church. We know—been there, done that! Night after night, one meeting or activity after another. Add to that, for the busy parent, that all the week-long there’s driving children from one event to another. And there you are, all out of breath.

Programs, activities and organization are means of getting things done. But these things can multiply and develop a life and momentum of their own. And, honestly, it’s not all the fault of those who plan the programs. So many come to church with a consumer mindset—wanting plenty of options and choices, like a shopping mall. Then some folks think busyness is the same thing as spirituality. But somewhere in God’s Word it says:

Be still, and know that I am God.

At Faith Chapel, we believe that frantic busyness is not biblical either for church or family life. Certainly, there is need for some organization, and the larger the church body the grater the need. But we believe that it doesn’t have to be complex. It’s not that there’s nothing to be done in the Lord’s vineyard, or that your children should be culturally deprived or have nothing to do. But Scripture teaches us simplicity. To one of his busy and care-worn disciples Jesus said:

only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be
taken away from her.

He also said

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations

In another place in Scripture we find the Church getting together for something very basic:

When all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place which He will choose, you shall
read this law in front of all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, the men and the women and
children and the alien who is in your town, in order that they may hear and learn and fear the LORD your
God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law.

Luke spoke of what brought a first century congregation together in this way:

on the first day of the week… we were gathered together to break bread

This may sound radical. But if you even think you need to get off the hamster wheel, we invite you to come and see, and possibly re-think a few things with us.