One-to-one

Our relationship with God should be on a one-to-one basis. We are created by God. He would like to get to know us more through communications with Him. Let us at the very least, out of courtesy, respond to that invitation by communicating with Him on a regular basis.

We do this through personal prayers. Through personal talking with God. Telling Him how our day is going. The good times, the bad times and when we're not doing so well. We thank Him for what has gone well and we ask His help when we are out of our depth. 

We can talk with God at any time. Some people, when they can't get to sleep at night, they go downstairs and watch TV, or make something to eat or a hot drink. Why not just sit quietly and turn your thoughts to God? Tell Him what's on your mind and why you are not at peace.

Our relationship should be a personal one-to-one relationship. 

I am not saying there is no need to go to church, or consult a priest, vicar or pastor, or go to Bible classes, prayer groups and so on. Going to church is important. 

Church is  a sacred place where you worship God and receive Him in Holy Communion.

Also, we are all a gift to each other and by being in church we could well be the answer to someone's prayer. Someone may be in need and you are there to answer that need.

In a similar way, I am not saying we don't need priests. A good vicar or pastor can give us guidance or through their teachings lead us towards God for eternity.

Often, churches become a physical hierarchy with various people in certain positions with certain tasks and responsibilities and the whole thing becomes an organisation where you have the organisers and the organised. And you are either one of those who is there to run the system like the choir master, reader, welcomer and so on, or one of those who attends as a spectator in a theatre.

Church is not a theatre or cinema for those who believe they have a ticket for Heaven. It is a hospital for the broken souls seeking God and His grace, love and caring.

Christ spent most of His time with those who needed Him. The sinners, the sick, the poor, the destitute and those rejected by society. In a way, we all fit into one of those categories.

By going to a church, a good church, hopefully we will find a leader, a shepherd, who realises these needs and, through the Holy Spirit, has the power to meet them.

Church is important. Our attendance is necessary. But our one-to-one relationship with God is vital.