The Great Commission states we are to go into the world teaching, baptizing and making disciples. Restating the words of Jesus, “ GO and WORK”. This should help us to understand something of the work of the local church. It is a place of work, people are being taught, people are being baptized and people are becoming believers.

Many people seek a church or seek a place to worship. They are not seeking a place of work. This is contrary to the teachings of Jesus and of the Bible. Christians are to be a workers not a sitters. We are, as Jesus, about the Father’s business. We are building the kingdom. We have not come to be fed or entertained.

There is a misconception on the part of many pastors and evangelists. It leaves people to the wrong opinion of the nature of the church. Many say the church is a re-fueling station or a place to get food. Yes, that is true but God never intended that Christians sit with their mouths wide open like baby birds waiting for mother bird to drop worms into their mouths. It is better to think of the church as the place you get your next assignment or to be assigned your next task.

A student who sits in class for four years can learn a great deal but sitting in class is not putting into practice what was taught. What good is an accountant that never does accounting? Or, what good is an engineer that never builds?

Seeking a church for the preaching or the great music program is selfish. A great worship service with great music is to inspire and to motivate those who hear to have a closer relationship with God through Jesus the Christ. The one truth that is often overlooked is that “having found bread” we go tell other beggars where to find bread. “As you have received, you are to share”. Remember how God while leading the Jews wandering in the wilderness fed them with manna? One rule was they could not hoard and save for the next day. When God blesses He expects those blessings to be shared.

If God’s blessings are not shared what value are they? If a person is so blessed by the music or the preaching and don’t tell someone then what good has it been? Where they merely entertained? Was it just learning? Was there no motivation? Has God not changed them?

Go! Is the imperative Jesus tried to instill in His followers. He even sent them out two by two to get them into the mindset of being people who “go”. When He was on top of the mountain and being transfigured the disciples wanted to stay and build temples. He said to them, “Go! Don’t stay here!” The work is out there in the world it is not on the mountain and it is not inside the walls of the church. So, anyone who comes and doesn’t share with the world, or doesn’t go tell, is wasting his or her time.

Henry Blackaby said, “See where God is working and go join Him!” Work where God is working doesn’t sound like go, “sit down and listen and be entertained”. 

To choose the right church is to be where God wants you to be not where you choose to be. When you are where God wants you then He will also have work for you. There are many churches in need of laborers. Some are small, so poor, some large and some rich. None of those things matter, the one thing that does matter is being where God wants a person to be. He can’t use you in any other capacity.