Filling or Service Stations

Embracing Personal Faith Over Institutional Service

In our recent broadcast, we explored the evolution of service stations and drew parallels to the modern church experience. Many of us remember the full-service gas stations of the 1950s, where attendants would not only fill your tank but also check your oil, wash your windshield, and ensure your tires were properly inflated. This model of service gradually faded, giving way to self-service stations where customers are now responsible for their own refueling and maintenance.

This shift mirrors a concerning trend in many churches today, which we refer to as “full service churches.” These churches often place the burden of service on their congregants, demanding time, money, and loyalty in a way that can feel more like servitude than community. The pastor becomes the driver, while the congregation is expected to cater to his vision and needs, rather than fostering an environment of mutual support and spiritual growth.

We believe that God has a better plan for His people—one that emphasizes individual responsibility and direct relationship with Him. Just as individuals can now fill their own gas tanks, they can also nurture their own spiritual lives without relying on a hierarchical structure. The biblical message, particularly in Jeremiah 31:31-34, emphasizes a new covenant where God’s law is written on our hearts, allowing for personal connection and understanding of His will.

The New Testament reinforces this idea, as seen in Romans 14, where Paul encourages believers to respect one another’s faith journeys without judgment. The essence of our faith is not about adhering to a set of rules or serving a church institution, but about living in the freedom and liberty that Christ offers.

As we move forward, it’s essential to recognize that the age of material religion is over. True worship and relationship with God are not found in the structures of organized religion but in the personal, direct connection each believer has with Him. We are called to serve Christ alone, free from the constraints of man-made systems.

In conclusion, we encourage everyone to embrace this liberation, to seek a personal relationship with God, and to step away from the expectations of traditional church models. The Kingdom of God is within you, and it is time to live in the freedom that comes from knowing Him directly.