The Church I Dream Of

I love the "church", the body of believers and the institution.  Admittedly it is not perfect, because the people who make it up are not perfect. If the church was perfect I couldn't belong. BUT it can be and needs to be BETTER. The institution of the church has done some horrible things in the name of God.  Even today, the church has been accused of being negligent, ignorant, and irrelevant, at times warranted, other times not so much.  No doubt there are things that the church needs to reflect on, repent of, consider, confess and change in order to be more like Christ created and intended it to be. I myself can be a brutal critic of the church but I believe in the church, the body of believers and the institution.  I believe in the future of the church, enough that I am willing to invest my life serving in it Jesus built and believed in the church enough that he was willing to give up His life for it.

I have learned from personal experience and through the experiences of others, that it is easier to identify a problem than it is to establish and work towards the solution. It is easy to point figures, lay blame, make excuses, but harder to initiate and carry through change. I am committed to refocusing my energies on working towards solutions and helping to implement change.

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

I love the Shane Claiborne quote from his book Irresistible Revolution "Stop complaining about the church you see and become the church you dream of"

THIS IS THE CHURCH I DREAM OF...

1. KNOWN FOR LOVE OF GOD & OTHERS

i) Unwavering in devotion and loyalty to God

ii) A place of refuge and hope, where even the most messed up of individuals will be enveloped in genuine Christ-like love, because of who they are now and not just for who they might become.

iii) Grace trumps Judgment - A place where it is safe to admit your struggles, weaknesses, fears and brokenness without fear of judgment or condemnation but with a desire to overcome.

iv) Known as much, if not more for, what they stand for than what they stand against

2. PEOPLE COME WANTING TO BE THERE

i) Feels like home -  a real sense of community and family

ii) They truly experience God's presence & power

iii) Genuine hope, love and guidance offered

iv) Authentic and deep relationships developed with God and others

v) Relevant, practical and beneficial to their lives, both temporal and eternal

vi) Membership has its privileges benefiting both the denomination/church and the member

vii) Involved and engaged in something bigger than themselves-helping others and making a difference

3. PEOPLE GET SAVED

i) Continual people entering into life saving and life transforming personal relationships with Christ.  I want everyone to experience the realness of what I have experienced and much more!

4. PEOPLE EXPERIENCE A CONTINUAL PROCESS OF GROWTH & TRANSFORMATION

i) More concerned with growing hearts than growing congregation size.

ii) A place of celebration as people overcome struggles, burdens, weaknesses & addictions.

iii) A place of healing of infirmities both physical and emotional

iv) People faithfully striving to become more like Jesus both through personal study & discipleship

v) Mutual accountability - Iron Sharpening Iron - applicable to leadership & members alike

vi) A place of continued maturity, and leadership development.

vii) Relevant messages that teach of the true nature of God.  His love grace, & mercy coupled with His justice and judgment.

5. WORSHIP IS ABOUT GOD AND NOT US

i) A people who set aside their differences to focus on the God who has made us more alike than we care to admit.

ii) Amazing worship of an amazing God. Led with excellence in vast and varied forms. In spirit & truth

iii) Where the symbolic elements of worship hold more weight, relevance and authenticity.

6. PEOPLE GO

i) The hands, Feet & Heart of Jesus reach out to a hurting world

ii) A people that GO OUT with no motive but to spread compassion and love, as they bring the good news

iii) Committed to meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those they come into contact.

iii) Offering and supporting practical services and help to those in need in the community

iv) An instrument of justice working to end oppression, poverty, slavery, and all  "ism's" everywhere

7. BIGGER THAN OURSELVES

i) Selfless

ii) United with the larger body of Christ.  All Churches/denominations united under the Lordship of Jesus - working together - laying aside their individual agendas in exchange for God's ultimate plans and purposes.

...Easier said than done, perhaps a dream, but as a friend recently said "If you don't dream you will never experience a dream come true." God helping me I am trying to do my part.

I take comfort in the words of Jesus who said "I will build my church." Matthew 16:18 

WHAT DOES YOUR DREAM CHURCH LOOK LIKE?