The Quest For Eden

 Although, Star Trek V was a fairly horrible Start Trek film, it does host this key scene. In it, Kirk poses the question that many of us ask about Church Services. If you were God; a loving father/creator, would you expect "worship?" I suspect God is not as keen about our "worship" as He is about our seeking to be better children. I get the feeling, He'd like to take us on a fantastic voyage, but only if we can all stop swatting at each other and ourselves. He doesn't need a Starship... or a "Service." “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22)

  This is a church question.   What is "a successful church?" What was Jesus' measure? Oh. Wait. He didn't have one. He also never "invited anyone to church." He invited people to follow His teaching. If YOU are following His teaching, YOU are the successful church.

How much of what you believe is based on what happens after death? Would you live differently if "the afterlife" had nothing to offer (good or bad)? Try. Live for love in the here and now. That's the gospel. The "afterlife" does not matter that much to Jesus.