I also hope and pray that it is clear that my comments are directed at the Church of Christ as a whole - and not to any particular branch or vein of Christianity. I have close friends and brothers in more than 20 different denominations and groups and I love each of them as precious family - but I also believe that no problem left unmentioned is ever solved. When I speak of a problem - you are usually sure my version of a solution is not far behind. I apologize to my friends if I have unintentionally hurt them with my comments. Please forgive me. Anyway - here are my TOP 10 reasons to LOVE the Christian Church. Some are more serious than others but I mean EVERY word! Our God and His Church are AWESOME!
10 – The Church is CONSISTENT.
For 2000 years we have presented basically the same scripture as the word of God with very little change from what was originally written in the Bible, as we know it today. Through many transcriptions and wars and conquerings and language changes, and several attempts throughout history to wipe Christianity from the face of the Earth, the word of God has been preserved and is very much the same as when the books were originally written. Christians today still believe basically the same things the first Christians believe - that Jesus loves people, died for their sins and that we need to understand that we need that, as we can’t live a life good enough to satisfy a holy and perfect God. That sure speaks to the raw power of the message of grace and forgiveness Jesus brought and its power to alter hearts and lives dramatically!
9 – The Church is DEVOTED.
Throughout the twenty centuries since the inception of the Christian Church people have lived and died for their faith in Christ. Jesus himself served as the greatest example of devotion to God and to His people that we have. His Bride has followed in His example and history (and media sources today) are riddled with saints willing to risk all or even die for this Gospel of peace, accomplishing great things, sometimes paying with their lives, but the Church’s dedication to the Savior and to the great commission and great commandment are unquestionable.
8 – The Church is DIVERSE.
There are now around 2,000,000,000 (2 billion) Christians worldwide in more than 30,000 denominations. Christianity covers the globe and has churches meeting in almost every country on the planet. The Church has a solid foundation of prayer, and a steady stream of servants, called and willing to spread the Gospel to all the ends of the earth. Each region, each area, each church has its own distinctive style of people, tastes, worship and teaching and loving – but in spite of the diversity we still love the same Jesus. It is awe-inspiring to realize that 24/7 somewhere the Gospel is being taught and people are being loved in the name of Jesus. That is a testimony to the scope, and diversity of the beautiful Church of Jesus.
7 – The Church can sure throw a PARTY!
I was speaking with the bishop of one of the largest Church denominations one time and I mentioned I was going to a meeting that afternoon and loved so-and-so’s cooking, when I heard that she would be providing the victuals.
“Well,” he said. “You know what they say – wherever two or three are gathered in His name - refreshments will be served.”
Church – I think we can all agree - THAT is a true statement. We have lots of people who can cook… and cook WELL – nothing has been better for our taste-buds and worse for our waistlines than Church cooking! I challenge any other religion to throw a potluck like the ones we have in the Christian Church. We would wipe the floor with them! Honestly, though - this one makes total sense to me, as Christians are really the only ones with any news worth celebrating!
6 – The Church is MOTIVATED.
We believe that we have a mission here and we are truly desirous to please our God. When we believe we have a word from Him we will go anywhere and do anything we believe He is asking us to do, to the best of our abilities. We love our God and truly believe that we have the answer to life’s two biggest questions: Why am I here and do I have a purpose? We know there are so many who need this message. I SOO get this one - it’s hard to be deterred, when you understand what Jesus has done for us!
5 – The Church is PASSIONATE.
We are a passionate (to the point of stubborn) J people - but we must be to fight the constant attacks against what we believe - and to get us through those times in history/geography when our faith could get you killed. We are passionate in our love for, and protection of the Church and it’s people, passionate in our opinions, and passionate in our desire to be like Jesus. These are noble and wonderful traits, and I’m sure our passion pleases God.
Even though I am a man that believes the small churches are the most effective church view these days - how can you not look at some of the glorious works of art that have been built as tributes to the creator of the universe and stand in awe? The Sistine Chapel, for example, is just one giant, beautiful, work of art. If you have been in church for any length of time, I’m sure that when you read this one you instantly thought of a couple of different buildings you have been in that took your breath away. The diversity and beauty of Christian architecture as it has developed with the culture over the centuries while remaining connected to its roots is amazing and awe-inspiring.
3 – The Church is FAITHFUL.
We are a group that, even with all the church hopping and broken relationships in churches people in the Church in my life have overwhelmingly been faithful to those in need. We genuinely want to help those in need and will whenever we can. We believe in those in leadership and believe that they have our best interests at heart when they step behind the pulpit. We trust that God will work things out and that our prayers make a difference. We pray more than we give ourselves credit for, but we sometimes are just comparing ourselves to that prayer warriorwe know who prays 3 hours a day, lying on their face. We are a faithful group. Jesus, and living in a way that please Him, are the most important question to us.
2 – The Church is CARING.
There is no question as to what organization runs the most soup kitchens or homeless shelters or crisis pregnancy centers or inner-city outreaches. The Christian Church reigns supreme in these outreaches. In these tough places the people of God shine for Jesus. They reach out daily, oftentimes putting themselves and their families at risk to bring the hope of the Gospel to places where hope is hard to find. Their lights burn brightly in the darkness and all these ministries that reach out to love in Jesus name show the unbelievable caring and loving nature of the vast majority of Christians. Again – 24/7 someone, somewhere is being served and loved in Jesus name. That is an amazing organization to be a part of - and it humbles me, when I think about it.
1 – The Church is GENEROUS.
The amount of giving that goes on inside the Church cannot truly ever be measured as much of it is given with Jesus words in mind; that our giving did not need to be a public pronouncement, so much of the giving is simply not possible to trace. Of what is traceable though, Christian giving to causes that promote the Gospel is more than the GDP of many countries - many times over. As astonishing as that is, I am more astonished when I remember the old guy that slipped me $100 at a church service because Jesus told him to. I think about a person we didn’t even know paying $1000 for our CD after a concert, because he thought it could help people to know Jesus. I think of story after story of missionaries who have given their lives and their money to help those with nothing to have a little, and to those who support them. I think about those who give their time at our local churches to organize a food drive or Christmas wish program or host a Parrish dinner or make a meal to bring to a friend in need.
With all our baggage, it is clear that we are kind and generous people and the world knows that, deep down - so even though we do hear a lot about the problems in the Church today (and we MUST have those important discussions) we must never forget that our God is MIGHTY and He can stand up to our questions and concerns. His church is strong and beautiful and He still reigns at the top. It got there through 2000+ years of debate and asking hard questions. Let's not be afraid of adapting to serve the needs of the changing culture around us and open our minds to new possibilities. As the word says – if our God is for – WHO can be against us?
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