Rooted.

Our current generation and tech-driven culture thrives on movement, change, and constant shifting; the idea of being rooted in something stable can seem rare. But God’s Word calls us to do just that—be rooted, grounded, and firmly planted in a community of believers. One of the most crucial ways we fulfill this calling is by being planted in a local, home church.

The Bible makes it clear that being planted in the house of the Lord is not just a suggestion; it is a command. Psalm 92:13 tells us that those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish. To be planted means we have roots. Roots are not easily pulled up; they take time to grow, adapt, and become established. The roots of a believer are strengthened when we commit to one body of believers, a church where we can grow spiritually and contribute to the mission of God.

Sunflowers are absolutely beautiful flowers however, they are also more sensitive than they appear on the outside. I wanted to plant some around my home and around the church, and as I began to look up when to plant the seeds, and how to plant the seeds, there was one thing that was repeated over and over, and it pertained to the roots of the flower. It said that once you plant the seeds and the plant begins to grow not to move it, because it would cause “root-shock”. I believe this is the same for us as Christians. We need to be able to establish our roots, so we can truly grow as followers of Jesus. Sure, we can learn by bouncing around, but if your roots are not truly planted, you will never reach your true potential that Jesus has for us. I think about Jesus saying, “you will know them by their fruits” unless you have a good root system on a plant, you’re not going to see good, mature fruit.

I planted a couple of peach trees this spring, and they were not in the ground a week, and it seems like as soon as they hit the dirt, they already had these tiny little peaches starting to grow. we were amazed and couldn’t believe how fast they started to produce fruit! I started to look up some information, being this was our first go around with planting fruit trees, and everything I found said to pull the little fruit buds off the tree! I was like WHAT!? No way! So I continued to read up on the peach trees, and it said that the tree would attempt to bear fruit when first planted, but the root system of the plant was not established meaning a storm or heavy wind could blow and damage the over-weighed tree branches causing them to break, or the weight could cause the branches to bend to much and then break from the weight, or that a storm or wind could cause the tree to topple over and fall because it was not yet properly rooted. The last couple of lines of what I was reading got my attention… It stated that if you allowed the plant to not bear fruit the first year, it could focus all its energy on being properly rooted, and if you did this when it came harvest time, the tree would be able to reach its full potential.

Ephesians 2:19-22 reminds us that as believers, we are not strangers or foreigners to the household of God. We are fellow citizens, built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone. In other words, we are part of something larger than ourselves—a body of believers, a church, that God has established. It is in this community that we can grow and mature, supporting one another, sharing in the mission, and glorifying God together.

Scripture teaches us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). This passage addresses the danger of neglecting the gathering of the saints. When we continually bounce from place to place, we miss the opportunity to truly connect with others, to grow deep roots, and to serve in a consistent and meaningful way. The danger of “church-hopping” is that it robs us of the opportunity to be established in one body, where we can contribute to and be supported by the community.

When we commit to a home church, we give ourselves the opportunity to form deep relationships with fellow believers, grow under the same spiritual leadership, and serve with a unified purpose. As we establish ourselves in a local church, we are not just attending a service, but becoming part of the family—serving, leading, and growing together for the glory of God.

A home church isn’t just a place where we receive spiritual nourishment—it’s a place where we give back. Once we are rooted, we are called to serve and lead in whatever way God has gifted us.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 speaks of the church as the body of Christ, with each member having a vital role. When we are planted “rooted” in a home church, we discover our role in this body and how we can contribute to the kingdom of God.

Jesus Himself modeled the importance of being committed to a specific community. He spent time with His disciples, teaching and leading them in a particular place. Even as He traveled, He maintained His connection to His disciples, knowing that His time with them was not just for personal growth, but also for training them to go out and serve.

Root Yourself in Community!
If you have been jumping around from church to church, consider settling into one body of believers. Ask God to lead you to a church where you can grow spiritually, connect with others, and use your gifts for His glory. Become ROOTED, and don’t be easily UPROOTED! If you allow yourself to get upset and then ready to leave every time things don’t go your way… every time you pick your roots up, you risk “root-shock”… If it is easy to pull up the roots, they are not firmly planted in the first place! Give your roots time to fully establish. This way, when the wind is strong and the storms come, you will be firmly planted and not easily pushed over.

Once you find your church home, commit to serving. Ask God to reveal how you can contribute to the body; not every idea you have will fit the needs of your church, where you are establishing your roots right away. Give it time! As you learn the church and the church learns you… You will both know where you fit best. Remember, becoming rooted first will allow you to ensure that you are firmly planted. However, this is also a great observational period for you and the church. For me, as a pastor, I love seeing people get involved! What I dread, though, is people getting involved and then flaking out over time. That is frustrating and not fair to those we serve or those who have to pick up the slack. While an individual is becoming rooted, as a Pastor, this gives me an opportunity to ensure that they can commit. Commitment is not everyone’s strong suit. The Bible says, “study to show thyself approved” (2 Timothy 2:15). Our commitment to the House of God should be just as important, if not more than, our commitment to the things of this world! How in the world can we commit to our employer on a daily basis, sports teams, leagues, and all kinds of other things? But when it comes to committing to God through His House, we flake, treating it like it has no significant importance?… I don’t mean it needs to fully consume you, but what I do mean is that you should make it a priority. This is a reflection of your root system and whether it is mature or not. There are plenty of places to serve, and you will have a space to fit in; just make it a priority to become firmly rooted, and then talk with the pastor about serving. Whether it’s through teaching, hospitality, music, or prayer, every gift is valuable in the kingdom of God.

Make time to build relationships with others in your church. Fellowship is vital for growth. When we’re rooted in community, we grow stronger and become more effective in sharing the love of Christ with others.

Blessings!
Pastor Jonathan W. Pannell III