This church…

I was asked to join a civic club once. They informed me of my dues and attendance requirements and that if I missed 3 consecutive meetings I would be put on probation and later removed from the rolls.

I joined the church and I was just welcomed unconditionally.

Early in my ministry our family was given a membership to a restricted swim club.
 
I was part of a church which had no restrictions.

If I make a contribution to most organizations my name is placed in pecking order according to the amount given and publicized.

When I joined the church, how much I should give or how much I gave was never mentioned.

When I go to a store, I select what I want, pay for it and don’t hear a word from them again unless it is in a pre-programmed e-mail or flyer until I shop again.

At the church, they have always called my name and come to visit if I was sick. They have sent hundreds of cards and lined up at a visitation when someone I loved died.
 
At the game, individuals and teams are measured by points on scoreboard.

At church, no one is measured by artificial outcomes such as points on a scoreboard. We value all God’s people.

As a citizen I am legally obligated to pay taxes.

At church, when I cannot bring an offering, no one sends me a threatening letter.

In the public sector, when I do great things I might receive an award.

In the church when I do great things I give credit to my Lord.

In the world, when I say, “Do me a favor, “usually the world says, “Pay up.”

In the church, if I was a member and didn’t attend or give, and asked for a wedding, funeral, baby blessing, visit or help with a bill, the church would say, “when?” and there would be no charge.

In the world, if you spend a million dollars, you are made a member of the Platinum “club.” If you spend one dollar, you are not considered worthy of a designation.

In the church there are no “clubs” and everyone is equally considered a blessed child of the living God.

The world teaches “win.”

The church teaches mutual accomplishment.

The world teaches “accumulate.”

The church teaches give.

The world teaches war.

The church advocates for peace.

I love the church. And specifically, I love this church.

Moving to the deeper places,
Jeff