I have a sign in my office that reads: "God works to create a distinct community to participate in His life for the sake of the world" (Mark Love, 2005).
Another one that I see constantly in my confines is: "Eagles don't flock~you have to find them one at a time."
Yet another one says, "Vision~A clear and challenging picture of the future of a ministry as you believe that it can and should be" (Aubrey Malphurs, 1999).
Frankly, I'm not sure what those three things have to do with each other. But each one represents something that is important to me personally, and I believe to the church that I serve.
Mark Love's statement is a constant reminder that it is God working in this place to bring us to Him. In creating a distinct community (the church) He has chosen the venue through which people are exposed to and offered salvation. Perhaps we need to be reminded of why we exist. Maybe we need to see that sign on every door, window and seat in the man made edifices we call "church".
The eagle phrase is a constant reminder to me of the fact that true friends are those whom I have chosen to allow into my inner circle. They aren't a result of the gathering of 300 or so worshippers on Sunday. Instead, after searching the motives and characteristics of various people, I am able to feel safe when in their presence. So it is in the realm of the church. Congregations of God's people distinguish themselves by their actions, their daily activities. Do they show Jesus for who He is or do they trumpet how "great" that body of people is? Very few pass the eagle test.
Malphur's definition of Vision is one that greets me as I enter my office each day. It is a constant reminder that part of my task is to look beyond the walls of my office, foyer and sanctuary and be led by God to see what His church CAN be. He is the One that has placed us where we are...now it's our turn to find out how to make it work. The process is constantly challenging and sometimes painful. But it is always worth chasing. When I am able to catch a glimpse of God's vision for me and for this body, I have experienced a piece of heaven.
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1 comment:
I really like the first quote. I feel often times we are focusing on showing attention to our church then actually focusing our attention to the people inside and outside of our church. We need to seek the lost and the broken and keep the encouraged uplifted. What we tend to focus on, though, is the image of the church. When will we all fully embrace the meaning of church as being the people, and how important that is?
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