What Kind of People Go to Your Church?

Some might ask this question as they consider attending our worship services. While the question of course is incorrect, in that neither you nor I have a “church”, it is the Lord’s (Eph. 1:22-23). The reason they pose this question is because it is natural to enjoy being around people like yourself, so some look for a congregation filled with folks much like themselves.

Some organizations are designed to include people who are alike, with similar backgrounds, abilities, education levels, or wealth. The Lord’s church is not designed with these things in mind. Jesus came to break down the barriers that divide people in society and to bring us together in Him. Paul said, “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-28). We also find, “He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation” (Ephesians 2:14).

When you visit, you will meet some people like you-and some who are not just like you. On any given Sunday, you may find people of many ethnicities and those of other backgrounds.

You will find some who are financially prosperous and some who do not have much money. You will find some who did not finish high school and some with advanced degrees. You will find old people and young people. You will find people with white collar jobs and blue-collar jobs. You may find people who are originally from all parts of the nation. Some have outgoing personalities, and some are quiet. We have many varying likes and dislikes and different strengths and weaknesses. We realize that we still have a long way to go in learning to love all. We are imperfect but we know that God wants us to grow in love.

What is it that holds such a diverse group together? It is a common faith in Jesus Christ and a common respect for the authority of His Word. Having obeyed the same gospel we are now a part of God’s family. God created us physically different from each other, but we all want to be like Jesus. We realize that we are saved by the blood He shed on the cross, and we have a common destiny of eternal life with Christ in heaven when we are in the in united with Him in baptism (Rom. 6:1-4).