So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore: An Unexpected Journey

Because people get together, sit in a room, sing some songs and share scripture, they think they've experienced the life of the church. If that's all been real, they may have. More times than not, however, it's just a routine they feel good about having accomplished, but in the end they haven't really shared his life at all. That's why I like pulling commitment off of people. You find out where they really are on the inside and that's good for you and for them.

The church thrives where people are focused on Jesus, not where they are focused on church.

The life of faith is a struggle enough in a broken world without us complicating it for other believers.

You can't foster a relationship with someone who is always checking your performance to make sure it's adequate enough to merit his friendship.

One of the most significant lessons Jesus taught his disciples was to stop looking for God's life in the regimen of rituals and rules. He came not to refurbish religion, but to offer them a relationship.

If I were you," he said with a wink and a smile as his eyes swept over those who's started the discussion, "I would waste far less time ragging on religion and find out just how much Jesus wants to be your friend without any strings attached. He will care for you and if given a chance will become more real to you than your best friend, and you will cherish him more than anything else you desire. He will give you a purpose and a fullness of life that will carry you through every stress and pain and will change you from the inside to show you what true freedom and joy really are.

Religion survives by telling us we need to fall in line or some horrible fate will befall us.

Don’t be concerned if it’s nothing you can point to and say, ‘That is the church.’ You are the church. Don’t be afraid to live in that reality.

the greatest journeys of our lives begin so simply that we don’t even know we’ve embarked on them until we’re well down the road looking back.

The ones who win usually don't need the prize.

Be real with Father and resist the urges to crawl back into your shell and silently endure lifelessness.

The freedom to be honest and the freedom to struggle are key to a real friendship," John said.