Why your church might be the medicine you need

Being 'just-about-a-millennial' I have next to zero idea of what’s going on with the latest political/TikTok trend surrounding the term ‘brat’. Perhaps you don’t either – and that’s fine!

But these are my memories from growing up as an army BRAT (British Regiment Attached Traveler): boring army-issue magnolia woodchip wallpaper surrounding us as we sat down to dinner as a family, night after night. Standard issue furniture was the standard. And military punctuality wasn’t always my idea of fun.

But is it wrong to regard the regularity of such rhythms as humdrum and boring?

Maybe I should look past the monotony of the beige wallpaper to see my Dad: he was involved in ceremonial military music, but often made the hefty journey in and out of central London twice in one day, just so he could make family tea-time and pray with us - before taking on a Royal engagement later that same night.

I can easily overlook the stability and fun of those family meals.

And it’s just as easy to underestimate the 'ho-hum' of church gatherings, sharing communion or sung worship together. But, standing back, I see how valuable these are, not just for my spiritual well-being, but physical and mental also.

With warm summer days finally upon us, are we enjoying the sunshine on our skin more than The Son-shining into our hearts, as we meet together?

With many churches in the UK following the school calendar and ‘churchy’ things generally being a bit thinner on the ground over summer, I wonder if we have forgotten how good our roots and rhythms are in our faith, and how precious the gift of church family is - as was in fact my tea-table-experience in my family growing up, despite the beige wallpaper!

Perhaps you expect the next paragraph to be an exhortation to up our attendance, sacrifice for church and ‘work harder for Jesus’ over the summer months...

However, having spent an intensive four months recording and producing the first half of ‘The Bible OverBrew’ podcast earlier this year, I have seen more of my misrepresentation of who God reveals Himself to be. Do I think of Him as the Father who delights to come home to His family for an evening meal and prayer together – do I see Him as a Pharaoh-type figure from Exodus, demanding more bricks from his slaves? It’s sad to see how frequently God’s people in the Bible doubt His character, leading them to disobey, instead of enjoying their relationship with Him. Who knows, spending time with His people could be just the way to restore our understanding of who He really is.

I have recently found myself re-listening to sections of the book ‘The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma’ by M.D. Bessel van der Kolk. That sparked the thought to write this article. I am struck by how many things that are healing for trauma (whether small or big ‘T’) are just a normal part of being in a healthy church family. I would go as far as saying that being in a church family could actually be medicinal.

So as you next gather on a Sunday, most likely out of routine, and perhaps quick to talk about who won what at the latest sporting fixture, stop and look around. Then sing with gusto, and 'Amen' together like you mean it. Go at Jesus’ speed of 3-mph on walks with your church family. Savour that sip of freshly-brewed herbal tea after a service. Thank God for the gift of each breath in your lungs, held by your Maker and Sustainer. Read a Psalm over and over and over again, until you can pray it - sing it even. Start a church running club, make a meal for someone in need, be present with those going through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, allow yourself to be grounded in the Psalm 19 - ‘the heavens declare’ - creation, as the chaos of the news and family life swirls around you. Let your eyes be drawn up in wonder to the book of Nature that points to our Saviour.

And remember to not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but to be encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Who knows - it might be good medicine and good food, for you and your fellow brothers and sisters.