Church - a semi-rant
21 09 2006
I recently took a trip up to the great state of Oregon. This land is beautiful! Beyond the best poets, musicians and painters, this land is beautiful. While there on my visit, I got to meet a church that refocused my thoughts on life and reminded me of what church is about. They showed me something that is so obvious about church that people just don’t get it. What was that something?
Love
They love well. They love the people there who are broken and need fixing, and they love the people there who think they aren’t broken and need fixing, and they celebrate with those who are in the process of seeing how broken they are.
I have spent a long time in church, and I think I forget that the church is in the business of love. Above everything else, the church should be about loving well. Above doctrine, above polity, above finances and above good theology. Seems like a no brainer, but I get caught up in that stuff so often that I think I lose sight of what is imprtant sometimes. I was reading the Bible and this is what I cam across:
And everything you do must be done with love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14
Even better than that was this:
You think that everyone should agree with your perfect knowledge. While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church. - 1 Corinthians 8:1
You can’t get much plainer than that. I love when the Truth comes alive like that and invigorates your heart. I love it even more when I see it happening. God bless, Foothills Church.
Amen, brother!
well said. . .
The command to love well just isn’t an option for the Christian. Life really, honestly, is more fulfilling when we do life the way God intended us to.
I’m now a regular blog reader :) (at least 2 blogs)
Now you made me cry … and that embarrassed Tod, he had to leave.
I think our paths shall cross again. And I hope to see you where the battles most fierce and our prayers stand where the fighters fall.
Peace to you,
Tim
Very true. Katie and I have found a lot of healing at Foothills, because of the love expressed. I know that there are many churches who love well. I just wish there were more of them
Amen to that brother.
Oh and glad you enjoyed Oregon!