Are You Treating the Church Like a Hotel or a Home?
The way we approach the Church reveals a lot about our understanding of its purpose and our place within it. Do we see it as a temporary stop to meet our needs, or do we embrace it as a permanent, meaningful part of our lives? The difference between a hotel mentality and a home mentality can shape not only our personal spiritual growth but also the strength and unity of the Church itself.
Treating the Church Like a Hotel:
Many people approach church with a consumer mindset, treating it like a hotel—a place of temporary convenience rather than a committed community. This perspective is characterized by the following attitudes:
Consumer Mindset – Church is viewed primarily as a place to receive rather than to give. Just like in a hotel, you come expecting to be served, seeking comfort, and leaving if the experience doesn’t meet your expectations.
Temporary Commitment – Your involvement is short-term and transactional. You attend only when it’s convenient, and if another church offers a “better experience,” you move on without hesitation.
Minimal Investment – There’s no sense of ownership in the church’s mission or well-being because it’s not seen as “yours” to maintain. You enjoy the benefits without contributing to its growth or sustainability.
Expectation of Perfection – If things aren’t exactly how you want them—whether it's the music, preaching, or community—you begin searching for another “hotel” (church) that better suits your preferences.
Lack of Deep Relationships – Connections with others remain surface-level. You interact casually but avoid the responsibility of deeper community, just as hotel guests don’t invest in long-term relationships with the staff or fellow visitors.
Treating the Church Like a Home:
On the other hand, a home mentality reflects a heart committed to the Church as a family—a place where you belong, contribute, and grow together. This perspective involves:
Ownership Mentality – You recognize that the church isn’t just a place you attend, but a family you belong to. You take responsibility for its health, investing in its people and mission.
Commitment to Growth – Just like in a home, you stay even when things aren’t perfect. You work through difficulties rather than leaving at the first sign of discomfort.
Serving Others – Instead of expecting to be served, you actively contribute your time, gifts, and resources. You help carry the load rather than simply enjoying the benefits.
Grace for Imperfection – In a family home, people aren’t perfect, but love and grace keep them together. Similarly, you extend grace when issues arise rather than walking away at the first sign of trouble.
Deep Relationships – You build meaningful, lasting relationships, walking alongside others through life’s joys and struggles. You embrace accountability, encouragement, and authentic fellowship.
The Church as a Spiritual Home:
Jesus and the early church leaders never established spiritual hotels for people to visit occasionally. Instead, they built spiritual homes—places where believers could come, commit, love, and grow as a family of faith. The Church was never meant to be a place of convenience, but a place of covenant.
So, ask yourself: How are you approaching the Church? Are you merely checking in and out as a guest, or are you settling in, contributing, and building relationships as a member of the family? The difference is life-changing—not only for you but for the entire Church body.
Commit to making the Church your home, and you’ll find that it becomes more than a place you go; it becomes a part of who you are.