My favorite Sunday during my blog’s summer break was ironically enough the Sunday I skipped church.
In making this statement, I am not offering cover to those who have intentionally and sinfully neglected the gathering of their local church to play golf, to take in a baseball game, or to sleep in a little more. As I have written elsewhere, God’s plan for our spiritual growth, life, and vitality flows through and is facilitated by the local church. One can no more expect to grow in their faith apart from church than a tree can grow apart from its roots. Our goal should be forever and always to be in church.
But in the hours leading up to this particular Sunday, my body had gone down with a fever and its accompanying aches and pains. Despite my best efforts to kick the illness and to think positive thoughts, the illness remained entrenched and I had to surrender the pulpit and the management of the church to my fellow elders.
Such a surrender proved difficult for me because I too am tempted to find my value and worth in what I do at church. After my family left for church that Sunday, I spent the next hour or so taking an unscientific poll of my body’s abilities, trying to discern whether I had wimped out. Was I really that sick? Eventually, the thermometer would leave little doubt about that fact. But at that moment I did not conclusively know, though both my dear wife and my fellow elders had told me to “Stay home.” Still, I wanted to be at church, supposing myself to be essential to my congregation’s well-being. You can’t have church without the senior pastor who spent all week on sermon prep!
But as I watched my church’s worship service unfold via the church’s livestream, I knew my fellow elders and bride had been right. Turns out, you can have church without the senior pastor. In my absence, my fellow church members faithfully praised the Lord through song, lifted up their hearts to the Lord through prayer, and preached the good news of the gospel.
That Sunday proved to be my favorite because it reminded me afresh that the Lord (and not Peter) builds, sustains, and grows his church. I saw firsthand that the Lord cares far more for the saints of my church than I ever will and that while my church loves me it can exist without me. Though I will have moments of weakness, the Lord will never grow sick or old or dotty. As long as the Lord is at work in my church, I will have every reason to rejoice even when I am not there. To God be the glory!