Two Churches

I see two churches. I see a church fresh and new – a honeymoon between God and God’s people.  Healing and wonders and signs are everywhere around them.  It’s as if everyday, every moment together is a blessing.  They hear the voice of God in everything they do, reminding them that they are chosen, beloved, important.  They give to each other with abandon, trusting that their resources are going to the greater good.  They pray together, eat together, study together, party together.  They are excited about the future, inviting everyone around them to be a part of this amazing thing that’s happening to them – this great purpose to serve God and serve the world.  This is a church with a mission.

Continue Reading

Love Trumps Doctrine

For you “love the sinner, hate the sin” kind of Christians, let me remind you what love looks like.  Love looks like welcome.  It looks like hands-on care.  It looks like kindness without expectation of return.  You cannot love people and at the same time keep them at arms’ length.  Love requires vulnerability and openness.  Love gets messy and isn’t always comfortable.  Love can only manifest in relationship. Love does not and will never look like exclusion.

Continue Reading