It seems everyone has an opinion on the church. Allow my to express my passionate thoughts and feelings on the North American church.
In 1978, my mother dragged me kicking and screaming into Acworth United Methodist Church. I was a directionless, angry teenager from a recently-divorced, single parent home. I was heading for a life of meaningless and destruction. Over the next two years, this church put up with my sin and anger and loved me unconditionally. So much so that two years later, August of 1980 as I was about to head into my freshman year of high school, I gave my life to Jesus Christ. This church literally loved me into the Kingdom.
Fast-forward to 1985. I now was attending Calvary Baptist Church, yes a Southern Baptist Church. It was here where my faith matured. I learned how to study the Bible, discover my spiritual gifts and how to use them. The leadership of this church exposed me to leadership, taught me how to share my faith, and began turning my mess into a masterpiece.
Let’s jump to 2002. While attending NorthStar Church, I learned the meaning of financial sacrifice and how God uses this to deepen our relationship with Him. BTW, every good thing that has happened in my life the last 17 years is because I learned the meaning of sacrifice. The church showed me how to use desperation and sacrifice to live a victorious life.
And now today, I sat this morning in First Baptist Church Woodstock and had the privilege of watching my daughter help lead over 1,000 people in worship during their 11:00 AM service. What has been invested in my life the last 41 years is now being used by the next generation.
I love the church.
The church rescued me. The church gave me purpose. The church loved me unconditionally. The church gave me hope. The church gave me a place to run to when times were tough. The church was a safe place.
I love the church.
The church is where I made lifelong friends. The church stretched me, challenged me, taught me, and equipped me. The church is where I learned to be a man because I did not have a great example growing up. The church is where I met my wife and have raised my daughter.
I love the church.
The church is where I discovered the greatest leaders in the world – pastors.
The church allowed me to make mistakes and grow. The church gave me countless second chances. The church taught me compassion. The church was there when my father died. The church was there when my mother died.
I love the church.
The church taught me the Word of God. The church showed me where to find solutions to the issues facing my life. The church gave me a Biblical worldview.
I love the church.
The church taught me how to resolve conflict. The church taught me how to serve and love others unconditionally. The church taught me life is not about me but Jesus.
I love the church.
The church showed me how to pray and the power that rests in this constant act. I see Jesus every Sunday in the church. I see changed lives every Sunday. I see addictions broken, marriages restored, broken hearts mended, hungry people fed, and people receiving a hope-filled future every Sunday.
I love the church.
The church changes communities. The church changes families. The church changed me.
I love the church.
Is the church perfect? No, not until we get to Heaven. But nothing comes close to the church in terms of individual and societal impact.
I love the church.
The church is where a person can be redeemed. The church is where a person can learn how to be washed clean of their sins. The church is the only hope to ending racism, hatred, greed, and all of the world’s other problems.
I love the church.
The gates of hell cannot stop the church. Twitter cannot stop the church. Public pressure and political correctness cannot stop the church. The government cannot stop the church. The media cannot stop the church. Sin cannot stop the church. Persecution cannot stop the church. In fact, persecution will only strengthen it.
I love the church.
There will be many who will fall away from the church. There will be many who make fun of or minimize the church. There will be many who will place their comfort ahead of the church. There will be many whose only concern is what can the church do for them and their kids. There will be many (even professing Christians) who attack pastors and the church.
But I will not be one of them.
I love the church.
The church changed my life forever. It can change yours as well.
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