Hi friends!
I know — you don’t usually hear from me on days other than Thursday. But I may start doing this once a month or so: a community post where I hear from you. I’ll pose a question and you can chime in below, plus read everyone else’s comments!
Remember my rules of engagement: you need to talk to each other in the same way you would if you were sitting around my kitchen table or sharing a cup of tea on my couch. Otherwise, I’m throwing you out in Christian love. *heart emoji*
The question for this week is (drumroll):
The internet is full of deconstruction stories from churchgoing — or formerly churchgoing — Christians these days. While some of these changes are necessary and good, others are not.
I’d love to hear something good about your church community. It could be anything from “those childcare workers show up on time every week” to “somebody sent me a note” to “nobody argues about the carpet color.” Tell me something good.
See ya Thursday!
I was at a church cookout last night and met a lady who'd only been attending church services for 3 weeks. You would've thought she'd been there much longer by the way several people recognized her, spoke with her, and asked her about her son (who was hanging out with other youth). This person/family had a different background then probably most of the congregation. But she is seen, welcomed, and known. She spoke gratefully of the emails her son receives addressed to him from the youth group. After 3 weeks of attendance. This encouraged me to see the body of Christ being like Jesus.
There’s so much grace @ OBC, but here’s one example…
this year I went through something hard, and church members brought me meals, flowers, cards, offered hugs, company, & even their guest rooms should I need a place to stay. They sat with me when I really needed it, and pointed me back to Christ over and over through their actions and words.
Not only was I strengthened and helped by them in that moment, but I now feel better equipped to walk with others through their suffering. It encouraged me to not be so afraid of stepping into other peoples’ sadness. I will always look back on that season with greater belief in the Lord’s loving kindness to His people.
Psalm 94:18