the truth about churches

So churches have been the hot topic in our blogs lately. And it's definitely been on my mind frequently because of our move. So here's what's been comforting me....

A lesson I have been learning has been the changing my mindset of expectations. I so frequently expect things from others. I expect to be invited over, thanked, or noticed. I expect that family will remember important dates. I expect expect expect. So something I was learning was instead of expecting, to offer in those areas. So instead of expecting to be invited over, I invite. Instead of expecting for others to remember my birthday, I try to remember theirs. I think the same can be applied to a church. I shouldn't walk into a church and think...what can it offer me? What spiritual development classes, worship music, and preaching can I expect to receive? But rather, where can I help the church grow? How can I connect with people? Where can I offer me?

So here's another thought to go with that...I was also thinking about how to share Christ with others. Many invite them to their churches so their friends can experience the space. Yet, I was thinking...it's not really the music or the preaching that is going to change a life...it's the relationships formed. My growth in Christianity hasn't necessarily come from the church itself, but from others pouring into my life.

So it doesn't really matter that a church has flaws and imperfections (and we all know every church has these!) But it really is a place to build community and relationships and through that the church grows.

So the truth about churches is that the preaching isn't always that great, and the worship music isn't always that great, and the people are sinful, broken people trying to help one another. And so we are quick to criticize and get frustrated and think of finding a new church home because our expectations aren't being filled. And the only way to avoid criticizing and judgment is to offer where it's broken and weak where God has given us strength. And pour out what has been given us.

So may we encourage one another in our strengths that we might believe in our strengths and offer them to a broken world.