There’s Nothing Like the Local Church
Posted by Brandon on April 28, 2010 under Bethel News | 
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One of the values we hold dear at Bethel is the precious value of the local church to the lives of Christian believers. Last night I had the opportunity to share with a sister church (First Baptist Church in Garfield, Arkansas) about this subject as part of their annual Bible Conference, Encourage University. The entire week focused on the local church and I was privileged to speak about the church’s holiness.
I grew up in a small and very traditional church in south central Kentucky. It wasn’t perfect. I could share stories that would make us laugh and others that could bring us to tears, but in that church I watched godly men lead. My memory of them motivates me even now to remain faithful to God. It was there that I heard the gospel that made an eternal difference in my life. It was there, even as a kid, that I first thought about preaching someday.
So the local church, with all of its imperfections, is precious. Bill Hybels said this about it…
There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken… It builds bridges to seekers and offers truth to the confused. It provides resources for those in need and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, and the disillusioned… Whatever the capacity for human suffering, the church has a greater capacity for healing and wholeness… the radical message of transforming love has been given to the church.
~ Bill Hybels, Courageous Leadership
In Browning, Kentucky, where I grew up, there was a store, a fire station, and several churches. There are places in the world today where you won’t find a post office or grocery store, but you’ll find a church or three. This is of God.
We Need the Local Church as a Place to Belong
God wants you to be a part of His family, and if you’re a part of His family, He wants you to be a part of a local church family. In fact, a believer without a church family is like an orphan. All believers will live forever with Jesus as family. Church is the practice run where we learn to relate to people who are often very different than ourselves.
We Need the Local Church as a Place to Grow
God intended not only that we be students of Jesus through His Word, but that we do this in the context of a community of believers. Whether small groups or Sunday School, every believer needs a group of fellow disciples with whom to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We Need the Local Church as a Place to Serve
The Great Commission is our task, and the local church is the institution Jesus started to accomplish this task. I don’t know about you, but I love the fact that God has invited me, a sinner, to take part in extending the message of His holiness, love, and grace to the furthest reaches of the planet. I can’t do that alone – I need to join hands with fellow church members.
Jesus died for the church. He derives glory when the church functions according to His plan and pattern. God never intended for you to be a lone ranger believer. He wants you in a local church family, committed and serving.
The church has its faults. It’s made up of a diversity of human beings made of flesh. It’s tough sometimes. But when all is working right, there’s nothing like the local church!
This past Sunday night was a very special time for Bethel, and for Justin Williams, whom we ordained to ministry.