If we were to ask the average American what is church? Most people would answer a building for public Christian worship or a local gathering of believers who sing to words projected on a screen and dose while this guy tells you how to be a good person. If asked to describe the church today, we may hear a range of answers from the ornate building down the street with parking that overflows onto my street to good, moral people with a list of dos and don’ts to a bunch of people who don’t even agree with each other. Sadly, the state of the church in America today has left much to be desired. In fact, some Christians are leaving the institution of the “church” and searching for the “Church” of community and fellowship, united by a common love for Christ and carrying out the original purposes of the Church.
“there once was a time when people gathered in an atmosphere of genuine love for one another, people were accepted unconditionally, regardless of their ancestry, social status or personal situation in life. people gave freely to each other, according to need. people were real with each other, with nothing to fear, and relationships mattered. the scene was the 1st century AD – the early days of Christianity, the defining of Church.” – welcome notes from New Life Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
My prayer for my team is that we may learn and grow to exemplify the Church in t
hese ways as well.
hese ways as well. - love: God loves with an agape love. in this year, I pray that we may learn how to love with a genuine love. may we demonstrate grace and mercy with each other and hug it out every night 🙂
- unconditional acceptance: a fundamental human need is to be known and accepted for who we are, just as we are. Christ accepted us and calls us His children no holds barred. if a perfect God can accept an imperfect me, shouldn’t I also accept others?
- giving: wherever we go, whomever we encounter, I pray that we will be known as a team that gives generously and abundantly just as God has provided more than enough for our needs.
- real: authenticity and genuineness are the cornerstone to trusting relationships (along with communication). I pray that we may be vulnerable with each other in our strengths and our weaknesses without fear.
- relationships: above all, I hope to learn to put my teammates first, before me and my own interests, that I may exemplify Philippians 2. may we cultivate community and fellowship that builds each other up in encouragement and support.
