Garden Hose or the Fire Department?
Recently, a group of guys I’ve known for decades asked me to start leading their Young Life Campaigners (Bible Study) group again. Understand that these guys are now in their 50’s! The last time I led their Bible Study, they were seniors in high school, and I was driving an 1986 Nissan 200sx.
Even though they’re scattered all over the country, we now meet once a month on Zoom to discuss scripture, just like we did back in the day—the scripture part, that is, not the Zoom. Back then, Zoom was a very strange kid's show on PBS. And this time around, one of their moms does not make brownies for us.
As we were going through the book of Ephesians, a question came up.
“We’ve got this Bible study, and we’ve got each other. Why do we need to be involved in a local church?"
I stopped and considered for a minute. I knew why I believed we all needed the local church, but how could I communicate this to them?
Then it hit me. Our Bible Study meets on Sunday evenings at 7:30. Michele and I had just finished watching 60 Minutes. (I once made the mistake of telling my young neighbor Jake that I watched 60 Minutes, and he responded, “Tell me you are old without telling me you are old,” Ouch.)
In spite of Jake, that evening, 60 Minutes was focused on the California wildfires. An image from all of the wildfire stories came to mind in response to the church question.
Victor Shaw, a 66-year-old man from Altadena, California, lost his life recently trying to save his home from a wildfire. When the flames came barreling toward his house, Victor stood in his yard, holding nothing but a garden hose. He fought as best he could, but it wasn’t enough. The fire overwhelmed him, and he didn’t survive. His body was found the next day, still clutching to that hose.
It’s heartbreaking. And it’s also a powerful picture of how we often try to handle life. When challenges come—whether it’s grief, temptation, doubt, or overwhelming stress—we grab our “garden hose” of personal strength, maybe even a small group of supportive friends, and try to put out the flames ourselves.
But here’s the hard truth: a garden hose isn’t enough to fight a wildfire. And trying to live out your faith—or navigate life’s biggest challenges—without the church is like standing alone against a firestorm with nothing but a trickle of water.
When a wildfire hits, people don’t call their neighbors and hope for the best—they call the fire department. Why? Because firefighters show up with more than just garden hoses.
I did a little research, and here is a small list of what the California Fire Department has at its disposal to fight wildfires.
Fire Engines & Trucks
Helicopters & Planes: For water drops and fire retardant dispersal.
Drones: Used for aerial surveillance and mapping fire behavior.
Ground Crews: Trained firefighters skilled in containing and extinguishing wildfires.
Smokejumpers: Parachute into remote areas to fight fires in hard-to-reach places.
Fire-resistant suits, helmets, gloves, and breathing apparatus.
Bulldozers & Heavy Machinery
Coordinated communication hubs for strategy, logistics, and safety oversight.
Fire Retardants & Foams
Evacuation & Emergency Support Teams
I’m going to pray I have access to all of the above if a fire comes my way. I’m not even sure if my garden hose is currently hooked up to our house.
Get the idea? The church is much like the fire department. It’s a community designed to equip, support, and stand with you in every season of life. Although it may not have a helicopter (if it does, you might consider another church… especially if the pastor's face is painted on the tail), it does have trained staff and a body of believers full of gifts ready to serve.
And the church is not just there for the fires of life; it is there for us through all stages. There were ups and downs, good times and bad. The body of Christ gives us the place where we can “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.” Romans 12:15
I also did a little research to see what the local church can offer in the different seasons of our lives. Here are just a few.
A Trained Pastoral Staff
Prayer and Worship
Great Teaching
Celebrations of Life’s Milestones
Opportunities to Serve and Make a Difference
Guidance in Navigating Life’s Transitions
A Place to Grow Spiritually
A Supportive Environment for Raising a Family
Support During Grief and Loss
Emotional and Mental Health Support
A Community That Stands With You in Sickness
Community During Seasons of Loneliness or Isolation
A Multigenerational Community
As much as I love it, my monthly Bible study with my friends can’t provide all of this. Neither can a great Christian podcast or watching a church service with our favorite preacher online. Only the full body of Christ, the church, can.
Here’s the deal: wildfires don’t give you a heads-up. They hit fast, and if you’re not prepared, the damage can be overwhelming. The time to get connected to a church isn’t after the flames start—it’s before. So when the fires of life come—and they will—you’re not standing there alone with just a garden hose. You’ve got a whole community behind you, ready to pray with you, support you, and walk through the fire together.
So, whether you’re part of a tight-knit Bible study like my friends or you’ve been flying solo in your faith for a while, I encourage you to find a local church. Get connected. And experience the fullness of the community God designed for you.
Because life’s wildfires will come. And when they do, you’ll be glad you’ve got more than just a garden hose.