Rhythm of Church Life

​Article Written by Pastor Phil Bray

​    Chaos breeds stress. There is something to be said for spontaneity, but it should be the exception to the rule of rhythm rather than the rule itself. Even something as simple as going to bed at the same time each evening and waking up at the same time each morning has proven to be healthier for the body than a random and chaotic sleep pattern. Our bodies need rhythm and routine. Our souls also need discipline and order to thrive and flourish. 
    The same is true of the church body. Sometimes life at church can become very chaotic and disordered. There are worship services and classes to attend, projects in which to serve, committees to help with, events to plan, and holidays to celebrate. Sometimes church life can feel very stressful. It becomes a burden rather than a life giving community of faith. As a result people begin to back away and slowly they are swallowed up by the world. 
    We have introduced an annual rhythm for MaconFBC to address this issue. In line with our Trinitarian God we have divided the year into three distinct but interrelated components. From September to December we will focus on Looking to Jesus. The Father sent Jesus into the world to save us from our sins. Our focus for ministry and activity will be about seeing the Savior. When Jesus is lifted up for all to see, men and women may look to Him and be saved (John 3:13-16). During this season we will point believers and unbelievers to Jesus again and again. Whether we prayer walking, handing out Seeing the Savior boxes to the children of our community, or participating in a HomeGroup we are focused on seeing Christ in and through one another. This season will be punctuated by the enthusiastic celebration of Christmas, the moment when the Father sent the Son into the world to redeem us from our sin. 
    The second season will run from January through April. During these months we will intentionally slow down and focus on Learning from Jesus. We will focus on mentoring relationships, spiritual retreats, and conferences to help us learn how to do all that Jesus commanded. The winter months are a good time to pull a chair up next to the fire, grab a cup of coffee, and read a good book. It will be a time for families to connect and spent intentional time cultivating the life of Christ together. We learn from Jesus by imitating the example of those around us and listening to all that He has spoken in His word. This season will also be punctuated at the end by celebrating Holy Week leading up to Easter. Just as the disciples spent a significant and focused time with Jesus prior to the Passion Week so will we before we rejoice in the Son of God who redeemed us from sin and death.  
    The final season runs from May - August. During this time we will focus on Loving like Jesus! The weather is warm and it is time to go out into the community and proclaim the gospel of God with gusto! It is the season for mission trips, camps, and community care projects. We will work hard in order to serve and be a blessing to our community in order to show and share the love of Christ. This season will begin with a holiday, Pentecost. We will celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit and the sending of the church into the world with the gospel of God! This entire season will be focused on going and loving like Jesus loved us. 
    These seasons will be focused on different activities, for different purposes. We will learn to live in the rhythm of the natural seasons instead of continuing forward in an endless artificial sameness to all seasons. We will eliminate hurry and overcommitment in our efforts to grow up into Christ. We will be disciplined. I believe we will then begin to experience and enjoy the presence of God in fresh and invigorating ways. Won’t you join us?