What’s so great about church?
Zeke - the official mascot of C3
I was all prepared to write something light and silly today, but I’m still thinking about yesterday’s post and the great comments. I’m not going to bash anyone here (much), I’m just very weary of hearing and reading about everything that’s wrong with the church. Yes, we’ve made mistakes, and we will continue to make mistakes, because the Body of Christ is made up of broken and flawed people. And while I’m fairly confident all Christians still believe,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
there are things we will never completely and collectively agree upon. We can have honest and respectful debates about our differences. And that’s okay with me.
What’s not okay with me is when I hear or read someone ranting and raving about all the things wrong with the church.
Because let’s just be honest, shall we?
They’re not complaining about what’s wrong with the church,
they’re complaining about what’s wrong with your church.
Because they’ve got it all figured out, don’t they?
Except, maybe the fact that we’re all the church. One big, broken messy family who chose Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Each time I read another book, article or blog post that tears down the Body without building it up, I wonder what God must think of us. I like the way my friend Jeanne Damoff puts it, “There goes the Bride of Christ, shooting herself in the foot again.”
But, hey. It’s Friday! I don’t want to end on a sad note. So I’d like to ask you, what’s GOOD about the church? Either the Church (big C) or the little body of believers you call home? I’ll start, kay?
What I love about church:
- I love that this little church plant I’m a part of made it past our first year–not only healthy, but thriving–without the support of a church planting organization and without a proven model to emulate. Well, except the Acts 2:42 model. Lots of people said it couldn’t be done, but with God, all things are possible.
- I love that Jeff Hogan (my pastor) makes regular references to “The Princess Bride” in his sermons.
- I love that we do stuff like go camping for a weekend and have church service at a state park.
- I love that folks recognize their brokenness but don’t necessarily feel the need to wallow in it.
- I love that we have such dedicated and loving men and women teaching our children. I also love that we probably have as many kids at our church as we have adults. Some days the kids actually outnumber the adults, and my daughter is excited about going to church every week.
- I love that my church family really does feel like family.
- I love that the usual 80-20 volunteer rule doesn’t apply. Everyone contributes something.
- I love that when we used to meet in our home on Sunday, Buddy Love the dog would howl at Jeff during prayer time.
Okay, your turn. What do you love about church? If you don’t go to church, what do you love about Sunday?
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I love to meet (get to know better) people to whom I can say “What, you too? I thought I was the only one….”
I love how safe and secure our church is for everyone. Child safety is checked and double checked, we have a volunteer medical team for every service, and we have emergency drills. It feels physically as well as spiritually safe.
I love the fact that when I run out of kleenex during worship, someone passes one over my shoulder.
BuddyLove was singing praises. I know because LuckyDog would do that when I cranked up the worship music here. Dogs need Jesus, too.
And this place here sorta feels like church to me.
.-= Candy´s last blog ..Tasty Bites- Summer’s Bounty Cucumbers =-.
WAY TO BE! I love that you have good things to say about your church! My church has an amazing community- not even kidding, so many relationships and “hookups” as far as business people, musicians helping each other out, etc. It’s amazing. On a lighter note, I go to church with a bunch of GOOD LOOKING people! Not kidding on that, either.
Kathy, once again… way to be!
.-= Jake´s last blog ..Watch out! =-.
New here and this is wonderful! It sounds like you have a great place to fellowship! I love that my church has about 50 groups based on interests, Bible study and community service and we only have 600 members. So everyone’s plugged in and ministering. There’s a space for everyone. Love that.
.-= Laurie´s last blog ..5 Lessons On Change Ive Learned From My Husband =-.
This is so absolutely refreshing! Honestly I get weary of hearing what’s wrong with The Church but you never hear enough of the good. Here’s my list for my church:
- Since we meet in homes on Sundays we are able to form deeper relationships and foster healthier community
- We have like 70 people involved in worship (singers/musicians) and we have 300 people in our church!
- Almost everyone is involved in one way or another
- Our leadership is humble and equips the saints to do the work
- We don’t have any programs, we do everything relationally
- I lead/teach a home fellowship group and I don’t have a seminary degree
- Our kids ministry isn’t babysitting. Those kids minister, pray and even prophesy!
There are a ton more but I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging!
Thanks, Tony. Your church family sounds like mine. We are also very relational. Which in our case, it another word for “very chatty”. But we have a great time together and I always feel God’s presence when we are gathered together.
I love that my church is extremely involved with other churches to promote community events. Several times per year, we go out into the community to work and serve and help others. It ends in the park with a huge BBQ and concert.
The church also stresses joining small home bible study groups.
And while my church isn’t perfect, it’s okay with me because like you said Kat, it’s made up of a few thousand people who aren’t perfect. Maybe that’s something else I love about my church. That everyone else is as imperfect as me.
.-= Annie K´s last blog ..An Excellent Use of Time =-.
I love that our new church has a wonderful, active, special needs ministry that works hard to offer opportunities for Handsome Son to be involved.
Wonderful post Kat…a usual…
.-= Eric´s last blog ..The Family =-.
I love how my church has communion every Sunday (and we’re a nondenominational evangelical church). I also love that we sing most of our worship songs AFTER communion.
I love my unruly small group that couldn’t stay on topic if Jesus himself were leading it. I also love how straight up and real every is.
Thanks for spurring some good thinking…
- homemade blankets wait, folded on all the pews in case anyone gets cold
- there is a basket filled with cough drops
- the pastor plays the guitar
- he also play an old-fashioned cross-cut hand saw with a violin bow (and that is just WOW)
- an attending child always rings the 100+ year old church bell to announce the beginning of service to the townsfolk
- sometimes there are pauses during service as the pastor wipes tears off his reading glasses
- my six-year old son came out of his shell
- his best friend at church is an 86-year old lady, they exchange notes and doo-dads
- that same boy joins the men when the pastor calls for a laying-on of hands during healing prayers
- we start each Sunday with a praise and prayer sharing (this is half of the service)
- always supporting the local elementary school with supplies and socks
- next Sunday after the gospel bluegrass service, we are gathering under those giant old trees in the yard for a picnic, next to wheat fields, grape vines, cows, and chickens
- that a particular boisterous singer is usually a whole line ahead of the congregation
- that occasionally a man will pull out his harmonica and play along during worship
- if you came in wearing only a bath towel, nobody would mind, they would merely pass you a blanket (I was told this one Sunday– yes, I was wearing clothes, but I forgot my shoes and still had on my slippers)
- our preacher man teaches the Truth, both when it hurts and when it heals
Oh thank you miss Katdish for this post today! Yeah–what is right! And if my list wasn’t long enough and you need something more to read, I wrote a post this Spring about finally feeling that I fit somewhere (and that would be our church) after our move to a new locale. (I even have pix of those blankets!)
http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/2010/04/settle-in.html
Indeed, what this world needs is a little good news today!
Blessings.
.-= A Simple Country Girl´s last blog ..Something I am Not Writing =-.
I don’t “like” this, I LOVE this. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, Darlene! That’s just awesome.
You inspired me today! I ran off with bits and pieces of what I found here and combined it with a little bit of twang over at my place.
Thank you miss Kathy for this bit o’ your heart today!
Blessings.
.-= A Simple Country Girl´s last blog ..Something I am Not Writing =-.
I like my church because they are very community oriented, they try to meet needs they are aware of.
My pastor is “real”
The childrens’ staff does a fabulous job with my daughter (Kat will understand the significance of this!)
Great sermons which are Bible based.
.-= Tammy´s last blog ..Follow Friday – The ABCs of Me =-.
What I love: God’s people are His meeting place. He meets me there and speaks to me and comforts me and . . .
Amazing, isn’t it?
.-= Cassandra Frear´s last blog ..Window Views- Or How I Got a Hole Lotta Exercise =-.
I’ve had a hard week as far as our church is concerned so this is absolutely wonderful. I love our people, I love our city, and I love what God is doing. There are little tastes and glimpses, but I know there is more to come.
Reading yours and everyone else’s response is very encouraging! Thanks, Kat.
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..Light Friday Hit List- 8-20-10 =-.
even though i had problems with church, not big ones, i too get tired of making and hearing complaints. mainly because complaining usually makes a person the bad guy, plus it does little good. except it kinda feels good to my ego at the moment.
lately i can see that there are some people that don’t complain about the church, but, have been terribly hurt by someone or a group of people within a church, and as a result their faith in Jesus is hurt as well.
so yes, i get very tired of the stupid complaining. i get tired of people hurting other people. i get tired of the griping and back stabbing and self centeredness. i am tired of it coming from me and from everyone else.
but, like you said, it is how humans are.
church people and non chruch people alike build walls around themselves and their hearts to keep themselves safe and happy.
everyone does, because everyone is hurting.
we are all defensive.
we all complain, and forget that our aim is
actually the only One that can truly hold us or heal us.
Spirit working through ministry and outreach in the real third world
Being able to cry in the pews, because if not there, where?
Beautiful stained glass that absorbs all the prayers
The magnificence of the altar stripped in anticipation
The humble building that holds up year after year after year
The clarity of His image
Hands that offer the blessing of Peace be with you
The labyrinth available to walk in the garden
The breaking of bread at communal suppers
The meaning of communion
Pointing a way
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..Thought for the Day =-.
Love that your dog howled at your pastor!
What do I love about my church?
That they accept and even encourage my questions — even the really gritty ones.
That the choir is leap-to-your feet amazing — even though we don’t actually leap to our feet, because we are stoic Lutherans.
That I finally understand what the hokey phrase “church family” means. Because I’ve finally got one.
That the number one emphasis and focus and be all and end all is the Word of God.
That I hear my kids singing the hymns we sing on Sunday…during the week.
Thanks, Kathy. This post is awesome…I think I could go on and on with my list. Maybe I ought to send it to my pastors?
I sent the link to Jeff this morning. He said it made his day. I don’t think we tell our pastors enough how much they are appreciated.
I agree with you 100% on this one & I used to be the one to criticize churches but then realized more to do with our spiritual state, not theirs.
The book ”Radical” by David Platt changed my thinking on that.
Thanks, Kory. I’ll have to check that book out.
I love that out church is not about numbers, all churches should seek new members, but ours does not set goals, or consider number of people equal to success.
I love that my church family can act the same way at my house during a party as they would at church. Okay without quite as much food.
I love that we have a church that can meet where ever we are, houses, state parks, community centers and Buddy Love’s house.
I love that our son Joe hates to miss church. For a guy who has chosen some bad roads, it is nice to see him eager to be at C3.
I love that being different is who we are, not who we are trying to be. I love that the best.
.-= Shaun Walker´s last blog ..Working on Saturn =-.
“I love that being different is who we are, not who we are trying to be.”
Yes! I love that, too. Well put, Shaun man.
I love this post. I just didn’t have time to respond on Friday. Now that I have time, I responded so much, I turned it into a blog post which I link back to here.
http://randommusings-helen.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-do-i-love-about-my-church-let-me.html
.-= Helen´s last blog ..Introducing Myself to My New Pastor =-.
hey Kat
love the blog, love the message, love the church
busy writing a book called ‘i kissed hating (the church) goodbye’ and would dig to possibly stick this blog in it if you would give me permission to – am looking for comments from people about church and what they like about it and what they don’t – specifically aimed at people trying to be christian without church which as you alluded to is impossible because the moment you become a Christ follower you are the church
i belong to a small congregation called enGAGE that meets on a sunday nite as part of a vineyard church and i like my church because:
it is heavily relational and a bunch of us head to a restaurant afterwards for coffee and a meal together
the pastor preaches barefoot and he is me but yes the freedom to do that from a stool with a chilled vibe is incredible
the ‘war cry’ of the church most weeks is ‘we’re going to do things a little bit differently today’ because once we realise we are the church what we do doesn’t have to be so formulaic – still heavy on bible and worship and ministry and prayer but how it looks and happens can change a bit
we are often quite interactive which as the pastory guy can be a bit scary but more often than not is really great as people participate with questions and comments and thoughts
.-= brett FISH anderson´s last blog ..sleeping like a baby no thank you =-.