I love communicating with my family and friends through social media, but there are times that I would really like to leave the social media community and never look back. The reason is that there is always someone who feels the need to start an argument over something and today I was disturbed to see that it was about how someone chose to celebrate the New Year with their church youth group. Honestly I'm probably a bit sensitive because the Youth Leaders are friends of mine and I truly believe that they always have Jesus at the core of their actions. One person stated after watching a video of the Youth Pastor "being silly" with the group of kids he leads that "It doesn't look like church to me". The response was, "What does church look like?" This led to an explanation of the persons version of church. Let me first say - I don't believe for a moment that the offered definition of church is wrong, but it was presented in a definitive way. There was no room for change.
I grew up in a church where it was believed that young ladies could only wear dresses to church and there is nothing wrong with that. However ass an adult - I don't always wear dresses, but I do when I want to and Jesus loves me just the same in dress pants, jeans, or a dress. I say this only to make the point that what once was believed to be the only way has given way to what makes people more comfortable to come to church. I'm in no way saying that God should be removed from the equation to make people comfortable, but our human nature and definition of what church "looks like" often needs an overhaul.
Church isn't about being serious in every moment. Church is about creating a body of believers in God Almighty, teaching them love and acceptance of others in the place that currently are, so that they can reach the potential that God has endowed them with. You can only beat someone over the head with your way for so long before your way pushes them AWAY. I love the fact that there are people who are willing to be silly for God, to be open to be used in a way that will reach our younger generations, so that they will be drawn in to house of God rather than driven away from it.
I pray that in this New Year we will be more accepting of each other. I pray that we will be open to the different ways that God lays on the hearts of his children to share His love. I pray that we will all remember that Jesus was never afraid to be seen in the company of those considered to be less worthy of His attention and that He showed them the same love that He shows to each of us. I pray that He will move mightily on His children this year that we will all be bolder in our efforts to grown the kingdom.
Remember that just because one thing doesn't look like church on the outside to you that maybe you should take a step back and widen your vision, because perhaps you aren't seeing the whole picture. What does church look like? It looks like love. God bless and Happy New Year!
I grew up in a church where it was believed that young ladies could only wear dresses to church and there is nothing wrong with that. However ass an adult - I don't always wear dresses, but I do when I want to and Jesus loves me just the same in dress pants, jeans, or a dress. I say this only to make the point that what once was believed to be the only way has given way to what makes people more comfortable to come to church. I'm in no way saying that God should be removed from the equation to make people comfortable, but our human nature and definition of what church "looks like" often needs an overhaul.
Church isn't about being serious in every moment. Church is about creating a body of believers in God Almighty, teaching them love and acceptance of others in the place that currently are, so that they can reach the potential that God has endowed them with. You can only beat someone over the head with your way for so long before your way pushes them AWAY. I love the fact that there are people who are willing to be silly for God, to be open to be used in a way that will reach our younger generations, so that they will be drawn in to house of God rather than driven away from it.
I pray that in this New Year we will be more accepting of each other. I pray that we will be open to the different ways that God lays on the hearts of his children to share His love. I pray that we will all remember that Jesus was never afraid to be seen in the company of those considered to be less worthy of His attention and that He showed them the same love that He shows to each of us. I pray that He will move mightily on His children this year that we will all be bolder in our efforts to grown the kingdom.
Remember that just because one thing doesn't look like church on the outside to you that maybe you should take a step back and widen your vision, because perhaps you aren't seeing the whole picture. What does church look like? It looks like love. God bless and Happy New Year!