Walking into the Coffee Shop for the last time is a bittersweet moment. It’s sad to think that you and I won’t be sharing caffeine on a daily basis.  With that though, you feel like you’ve really made progress in the process of getting to know God. We greet with the standard hug and you head over to the counter to pick up your coffee. You turn to me and say, “You know, you should let me take you out to dinner or something.  You’ve spent at least $60 on coffee this week.”

My response is simple, “I want you to now take someone else.” Based on the confused look on your face, it’s clear that you don’t quite understand what I mean by that. I then share how many pastors, teachers and mentors have bought me my fair share of meals over the years. People have poured into me and that’s why we’re able to have our talks.  There’s going to come a time when you’re mature in your faith and when someone comes to ask you questions about Jesus, you buy the coffee that day.  Just thinking about that brings chills. It‘s exciting to think that God could use you, believe me, I know.

As we get started I ask an open ended question about some of the things you’ve learned that were most impactful.

I’m glad you mentioned prayer, because that is a big one. I’m glad that the mystery has been taken away.  It really is just talking directly to God. I can tell even in our times praying together, that you’re starting to understand that prayer is more than just praying for meals or asking for things.  It’s a conversation. It’s amazing to realize that we have the ear of the creator of the universe, anytime we want.

You know my dad is a Pastor in Australia, and being a pastor is a very busy job. Lots of people are trying to get time with the pastor. But even with that, I knew that at any time I could go talk to my dad and he’d drop whatever he was doing to spend time with me. It’s similar with our Heavenly Father.  We have his complete attention.

God is so powerful, so great and yet He’s done so much for me. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is chapter 2 of Philippians.  Take a look what He says, (Philippians 2:1-11).  So, here we have this amazing God, all powerful, and He humbles himself to the point of death. It makes me think about how I can humble myself in what I do, so that I can have an attitude that is “the same as Christ Jesus.” Those are the kinds of things that I wrestle with daily, but that’s just a part of God working in me.

I have definitely enjoyed our coffees, but I need to encourage you with one final thing and that is Church. You really need to make finding a church a priority. As a speaker I’ve visited hundreds of churches all over the globe. You have a lot of options even in this town, but instead of just googling your zip code and “church,” I think you should be a little more intentional in choosing the church that you find as a home church.

It comes down to three things that I think are most important when choosing a church. I put them in order, starting with the most important.

1. Committed to the Bible: This is a church that believes the Bible is God’s Word and “God Breathed.” They are committed to teaching from the Bible every week. As followers of Christ we stand on His Word, and so your church should do the same.
2. Community is present or possible: Maybe you already have friends who all go to a church where you could connect, If it’s committed to the Bible, that’s great.  Maybe that isn’t the case.  When choosing a church you want to think about a place where you will be able to connect with other people. If you just go in the door, sit in a service and leave, you’re missing it. Remember Acts 2:42-47 shows us that church is so much more.
3. Comfortable: Finally you want to find a place where you feel comfortable.  This is a style issue and there are a wide variety of churches for a wide variety of preferences. You may like people in church wearing suits and dresses, or you may prefer a more laid back approach with t-shirts and jeans. You may prefer a loud band or maybe no band at all. All of this comes down to individual taste.  Remember, this is the least important of the three. You may find a church that meets the first two things perfectly but there are a couple of style issues you think should be done differently. Let me encourage you to give that church a chance, because you may find that little preference you inititially had really isn’t that important after all.

Next time, we see each other I’d love to hear more about your new church. It may take time to find the right fit and remember your first visit is just that, a visit.  You aren’t signing your life away or joining this church forever and ever, just visiting. I’m serious when I say that this is the most important next step.

We talk for a while longer about some of the things coming up on both of our schedules. We spend a while at our table praying. Our little corner of the Coffee Shop has become a safe place for us to wrestle with God’s Word. We hug each other and as you make your way back to your car, you sit for a minute. You text message that friend to confirm you can visit his/her church this weekend. As the car pulls out of the lot, you realize that there is much more a sense of beginning than a sense of ending.

A few days later your friend picks you up for church. While driving you suggest grabbing some coffee before church that morning. Standing at the counter you glance over towards our table which is occupied by a mother and her two children. Covered in Cheerios and juice, this once special space has become just another table. Fifteen minutes later you’re walking down the aisle of the church.  You have a spring in your step, from the hope you have that this could be your church home. As you ease into your seat, the sound of the band fills the room. The songs are new to you, but the lyrics seem familiar. The band ends its first set and the pastor invites everyone to greet people around them. You shake hands with the people in front of you, and as you turn around you’re greeted by a familiar face. You light up with excitement as she realizes it’s you. “Paige, you go here? I can’t believe you go here!” She laughs at your shock as you introduce her to your friend.

As the room quiets down for the next part of the service, you repeat these powerful words, “Creator God loves me.  He gave His life for me and He promises to continue to work in me.”  This morning, in this crowded room, you’re surrounded by others on the same journey. They have different paths and distinct stories, but you are all united in a desire to know and love Jesus Christ.