The next time you hear somebody say (or hear yourself say) “I don’t feel connected at church. Church is just not meeting my needs.”
http://www.ordinarypastor.com/?p=14622
The way ahead is always service through humility. God knows what he is doing with and through the church. We need to trust him, and, most often, get to work. If you are feeling disconnected or counseling those who are feeling this way, I challenge you to take an honest crack at this list. I think it will do the trick.
And here is a great little riff on 1 Corinthians 13.
http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2014/09/1-corinthinans-13-remixed-for-today.html
If I am a great artist, able to capture a snapshot of the glory of God on canvas, or in song, or in prose, or on film, and yet have not love, my creative “genius” is utterly useless to God.
If I preach like Piper or Chandler or Chan or Platt, and yet have not love, I’m nothing more than a squawking parrot who likes to imitate others.
If I read all the books by all the smart theologians, and can quote them off the top of my head, yet have not love, WHO REALLY CARES!!!!