what is it that you hold onto? (revised)

I felt the need all of a sudden to bring this subject about. We have come a long way this year, and keep going further no matter how cruddy it gets. But here's the question I strive for you to answer:

What is church to you? Is it something you do? Is it a place you go? Is it you?

I read this today from Church Marketing Sucks:

If the electricity went out, and your walls fell down, and your biggest givers died, what would you have left? Would you have a community of people still seeking after the heart of God? Would you still worship even without a band? Would you still be able to learn about God even though you can't show a video or a PowerPoint slide? In other words, what you have when everything else goes away is what your church is really all about.

It really opens my eyes to the change we have made, and also helps me realize that without a lot of those things up there a lot of people could easily distant themselves from what's really important and the whole point of it all. God...Jesus....The Holy Spirit....

How did they do this before electricity was even invented? Was God okay with how they did things then?I guess that's not what you need to be looking at either...just questions to think about.

A lot of it is tradition, habit, and influence. These tends to lead people away from what it is God really needs and wants from them. Can you grow towards in God with it...yes, but it can really easily become a barrier if you have to do without certain traditions and technologies all of a sudden. Its the change factor. A lot of people don't like change when it comes to faith and the way they serve....actually a lot of people don't like change in their daily lives, believers or not.

The last thing I feel I need to say is BE the church. Be a listener, and cryer, a shoulder, a dishwasher, a babysitter, a prayer.....just be it whatever situation comes about to support the people around you...believers or not. And do it for God...with Him in the center of all that you do, in the center of every relationship.