Church

"This is the church. This is the steeple. Open it wide and there's all the people."

 

Just a little ditty we said in VBS while we did the hand motions. We felt really clever how it ended with all your fingers wiggling. I have to say that my whole picture of Jesus and the church has changed dramatically. Keeps changing dramatically as I grow up. It's a big mix of things I've unlearned that weren't correct, things I'm still learning and things I love that are eternally true.

 

We went to church Sunday morning in a bar. This particular church met there for 4 years. They celebrated their 10th anniversary by going back to where they started. Did I mention it was a bar? I'll admit, it still smelled a bit like smoke from the night before. We sat on barstools. The praise and worship band were where a country and western band would've been. And what's more, Mark Chestnut was going to follow-up church with a concert, sponsored by the church, where all proceeds were going to stop human trafficking. It was probably one of the most Holy Spirit led services I have been a part of in a good long time. I wept like a baby. Tears I couldn't contain, though I tried.

 

It occurred to me, again, sitting in the bar, that the church is not the building. Just like the church is not the source. Jesus is the source of life. And, people, it is life to the FULL! Don't get me wrong, the church IS the Bride of Christ. We are the Bride of Christ. We are called to be a part of the body. To work together as a body. All different parts. All one purpose. As my Paw-Paw used to say, "Can't get to Heaven unless you take someone with you."

I'm continuing to think differently about church. Thank God!