Be the Church

What is your fondest memory of church? Mine was when I was in high school and no matter how bad of a day I was having, I would show up for youth group on Wednesday nights and have a wonderful group of people to bring my spirits up. I couldn’t tell you specifically what was discussed, learned, or done on most nights but I can tell you that I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in that place. It left me feeling welcomed and loved. As a pastor and former youth minister I have always tried to recreate that feeling for others. Sometimes I have been successful and sometimes not so much. Trying to find the right lesson, setting, or activity has never been what works. What works is the people being the church.

What does it look like when we, the people, become the church? Acts 2:42-47 describes is perfectly:

42 The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. 43 A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. 44 All the believers were united and shared everything. 45 They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. 46 Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity.47 They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.

It wasn’t a building or even a place. The church in Acts 2 was the presence of the Holy Spirit in everyone bringing them together. What would that look like today? What would it look like if this happened at Lake Cities? It is happening today! It can happen at Lake Cities! If we would allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and if we would stop clinging to the ways of this world, then we could be the church God has called us to be.

This Sunday is Laity Sunday and we will hear how we can “be the church”. Before that day comes I ask you to prepare your heart, mind, and soul for the leading of the Holy Spirit. Be willing to say , “Here I am God, use me!” Join us for worship at 8:30 and 10:45 AM as we are inspired to “Be the Church!”

In God’s grip,

Pastor Chuck Church