A while back, I wrote a piece about looking for a church home (Say Something I'm Giving Up on You). My wife and I had moved to a new town and we were having trouble getting settled into a local church. Ok, so I know that church is not the place we go or attend necessarily. Because the church is US. Me and You. The Body. His Body. Gifted in different ways with each one of us serving each other and the greater community. Hopefully, doing so in Love, Peace and Unity. In a world where we are divided by so much, this place called church should be the one refuge. The one place we can gather be refreshed and go back out into the world with Light of Jesus shining brightly from us as we endeavor to try to love our fellow man. Unfortunately, over my many years of attending church, it seemed as if the purpose of the church was not being accomplished. Oh, I gained a lot of knowledge and saw a lot of attitudes and indifference. I became a great Gnostic and an even better Pharisee because of this. I thought what I grew up in was what the church was supposed to be. As an adult, I encountered it even more and it became less appealing to me. As I started to truly learn who I was in Christ, I began looking for this fellowship, encouragement and unity described in the Bible about the early church. I came across places where we would gather to sing, hear the Bible preached and leave. There was not much connection with others, even though we were all “in Christ”. It seemed to me that THAT should mean everything. As I left disappointed, I was ready to give up on Her. His body was broken for us but so was His bride. We found few fellow travellers along the way and thought it was time to give up and just go it alone.
My Father is a rich man, He wears a rich man's cloak
gave me the keys to His Kingdom Coming, gave me a cup of gold
He said I have many mansions and there are many rooms to see
But I left by the back door and I threw away the key, yeah I threw away the key.
- excerpt from “The First Time” by U2
As we began to give up on thinking we could find a Home, we just couldn't make peace with that thought. We knew there had to be a place where people were not afraid to Love. Where we could find friendship and encouragement. A place where the Word of God was important and a people on the move, motivated by the Love of Christ to be His Hands and Feet to this community and willing to take His message around the world.
I have good news to report. This is late in being written and I have meant to get this down on paper sooner. We have found Home. A place where Hope greets you as you come inside. A House of Prayer and Help. A people that are not afraid to Love and Love Deeply. Where Community is not just a word tossed around to sound attractive. A room full of Worshipers of the Living God. A Bible opened to open our minds, expanding and expounding the Word of God over the hushed audience. A place attractive to the lonely, broken and displaced. Celebrating Recovery and Lives Restored. New Life is offered and received. The waters are stirred and His supper is shared. Because of His Grace we all can partake. This common spirit is spread throughout the halls and classrooms. Echoes of Mercy drift to all parts of the dwelling of this Body of Christ. The Gospel is the centerpiece and takes Center Stage. Missions are planned and supported around the globe. People come from miles around to this House, to learn worship and grow together. It is nice to be at a place where people desire to do just that. We share our experiences, our learnings and life. We share the Word and it's affects on us. We are carried along by the Spirit to a place of rare harmony because of our position in Christ. Things I learned long ago are corrected by the rightly divided Word. I am looking ahead with Hope towards a brighter tomorrow and I know that there are friends who will stand with me. And this makes all the Difference.
I hope that you too have found a place to call Home. A place where the same Spirit that unified and lifted the early followers is shared and Love for Christ and His Word is at the forefront of all that is done in His name. If you haven't, please keep looking. Contrary to popular belief, you do need church and it also needs you, your gifts and talents. There is a place where you belong and you are shaped to fit in. Don't give up like I was ready to do. Find the Word and then find the Worshippers. Seek out a people and a Love that is unlike anything you've known before. Ask Him and He will guide you to the place where you belong. Home is out there!
My Father is a rich man, He wears a rich man's cloak
gave me the keys to His Kingdom Coming, gave me a cup of gold
He said I have many mansions and there are many rooms to see
But I left by the back door and I threw away the key, yeah I threw away the key.
- excerpt from “The First Time” by U2
As we began to give up on thinking we could find a Home, we just couldn't make peace with that thought. We knew there had to be a place where people were not afraid to Love. Where we could find friendship and encouragement. A place where the Word of God was important and a people on the move, motivated by the Love of Christ to be His Hands and Feet to this community and willing to take His message around the world.
I have good news to report. This is late in being written and I have meant to get this down on paper sooner. We have found Home. A place where Hope greets you as you come inside. A House of Prayer and Help. A people that are not afraid to Love and Love Deeply. Where Community is not just a word tossed around to sound attractive. A room full of Worshipers of the Living God. A Bible opened to open our minds, expanding and expounding the Word of God over the hushed audience. A place attractive to the lonely, broken and displaced. Celebrating Recovery and Lives Restored. New Life is offered and received. The waters are stirred and His supper is shared. Because of His Grace we all can partake. This common spirit is spread throughout the halls and classrooms. Echoes of Mercy drift to all parts of the dwelling of this Body of Christ. The Gospel is the centerpiece and takes Center Stage. Missions are planned and supported around the globe. People come from miles around to this House, to learn worship and grow together. It is nice to be at a place where people desire to do just that. We share our experiences, our learnings and life. We share the Word and it's affects on us. We are carried along by the Spirit to a place of rare harmony because of our position in Christ. Things I learned long ago are corrected by the rightly divided Word. I am looking ahead with Hope towards a brighter tomorrow and I know that there are friends who will stand with me. And this makes all the Difference.
I hope that you too have found a place to call Home. A place where the same Spirit that unified and lifted the early followers is shared and Love for Christ and His Word is at the forefront of all that is done in His name. If you haven't, please keep looking. Contrary to popular belief, you do need church and it also needs you, your gifts and talents. There is a place where you belong and you are shaped to fit in. Don't give up like I was ready to do. Find the Word and then find the Worshippers. Seek out a people and a Love that is unlike anything you've known before. Ask Him and He will guide you to the place where you belong. Home is out there!
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