Tyler Ward recently shared what he wished he knew before he went to church for the first time. His article is birthed out of his many life experiences, including:
- growing up Presbyterian,
- serving as a Baptist youth pastor,
- living overseas on an evangelical mission,
- assisting a traveling prophet,
- serving the poor through a non-denominational ministry,
- promoting justice with emergents, and
- launching multiple house churches.
Ward’s short list of things he wished he and also others knew before going to church includes two items:
- Christianity is not an institution, and
- friendship/relationship is the point.
So What?
As I considered Ward’s list, I began crafting my own. I encourage you to do the same.
What I Wish All Who Are Considering Attending a Church Knew
- Christianity isn’t limited to the typical media portrayal; it is an incredibly diverse religion (the existence of 30,000+ denominations speaks loudly), and
- Christianity isn’t primarily about believing the “right” things or taking specific stances on key social issues; the way of Jesus emphasizes living lives marked by love (see the Greatest Commandment, also known as the Jesus Creed).
