The Real Church

It seems that wherever I am, I keep hearing conversations, messages or dialogue that center around what the church was designed by God to be versus what it has been made into by man. Last week I listened to some teaching that the Greek word for church used in the New Testament was the word EKKLESIA – translated church, but more accurately translated congregation.

And there you have it. Somewhere along the way, we humans made church into a building or a series of rituals or any number of other things. But it appears that all along the church was supposed to be a who rather than a what.

That has been a progression for me as an individual, which is likely why it strikes such a chord. As a young Christian, it was much easier to put the “what” of church in a box. It could be put away Sunday afternoon and pulled out of its box on various weekdays to take part in my life as I desired. Something I did because I knew I should because it made my life better and something I could check off on a list.

But who changes everything. Congregations are people. And being part of a living, breathing organism must change who I am. It makes me accountable. It motivates me to grow and share and build. Memorial Park Church is that kind of church - people who make up the family of God with a common love for Jesus. Not a building or a place or even limited to people you see on Sunday morning but a living, changing, growing group of people bound by love and sharing it with everyone possible . I know it’s been said before but changes like this seem big and exciting and remind me that when our God moves in ways this big, grab hold of something because it’s going to be a wild ride. I simply cannot wait to see what is next for His People – His Church…….

Great day at ICC

Today was a really good day at church. Beautiful weather, a great message and a huge cheering section for Bob! I arrived with a spring in my step - just a little perkier than normal and found many in the same spirits. The buzz in the cafe lobby was really invigorating with so many folks there. We are moving to a new level of attendance - 63 people today - very exciting. I was actually looking forward to possibly running the visuals this week and voila' - my prayer was answered. I was on and things went relatively stress free if not smoothly!

Bob had a great day too. His dad made the effort to come and see him play. If you could only have seen how that made him feel.... Bill came too so he really did have his own section. God is doing amazing things through him. And he felt like he had his best playing day ever! I think he does great every week so I'm biased. I never hear any mistakes he makes. They were rough on a few songs as a band but I'll tell you - he should always go to concerts just to keep his feet moving! He was really up there playing his heart out for God. The second time they played the song "We Stand" was awesome!! Bob was psyched and Neil really got the crowd riled up. If you want to hear crowd reaction, check out last week's first few seconds of the podcast. You can hear the reaction people had to the song.

http://www.ironcitychurch.com/downloads.html

All this leading up to his baptism day. What a day! I'm really excited about it.