Church Membership is More About Community

Growing up as a pastor's kid, you would think that I would turn out messed up. Well, maybe I'm a little messed up, but who isn't?

The overwhelming motivation for sensing God's call to become a pastor came from my sense of community in the churches where I grew up. My father was a beloved pastor because he made it clear in his words and actions that he cared about everyone in the church community. His love was transparent; he wore it on his sleeves. It is no surprise that the people of the congregation reciprocated his love and also did so to his family. I was never short of extra parents or grandparents who watched out for me, taught me, guided me, mentored me, etc. 

Those people were the salt of the earth, and their selfless outpouring of love on our family made me understand who Jesus was. Jesus was special because he connected us to a God who poured out His love selflessly. In Jesus, my God was my proud Father who would never give up on me. These feelings grew out of my experience in the church community. Was it perfect? No. But it was tangible and real. 

In the picture above, my son, Eli, sits at the control booth for our audio/visual on Sunday mornings. Eli loves tech, so this is a fantastic job for him. He loves church when he gets to help out with this! But perhaps even more important is who is sitting next to him. Chuck Long is a humble man of God who owns his children's theater company in town. He is excellent with kids, and Chuck is always present when Eli is in the booth, pouring God's love into him.

Church is not a self-help plan. Church is where we see Jesus in others and where we get inspired and empowered to show Jesus to others outside of church. Most of all, it's the relationships of love that will best communicate God's love. So, take each one seriously and enjoy who you sit next to.