Faith and Love

Over forty plus years of ministry, I have come to know personally a number of different churches.  And, if anything is certain about churches, it is that they are all different.  One is remembered as a church where prayer prevailed.  Another is known in my heart as a church that had a heart for missions.  And one other is remembered as a church that sent a legion of its young into full time ministry.  When the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the church at Colossae, he knew its people as those who had strong faith in Christ Jesus and a love for all the saints.  (Colossians 1:4).    

Would that more of today's churches were known for their faith and love!  Too many of the folks outside of the church look at its political battles, its overspending on building bigger buildings, and its catering of the affluent and then decide that they want no part of it.  Part of the reason the church fails to draw people on the outside has to do with its appearance of being just like any other organization in the community.  When folks look toward the church, they expect it to model a higher standard for its operation than some for profit business.  They expect the church to be different.

The Apostle Paul hit on two distinctive things which the church is called to model for the world.  It was put in place long ago to be a spiritual community where the power of faith in Christ Jesus would be evident and where people would live with one another in love.  People may show up at a church known for its youth ministry, or its choir, or its preaching, but what will hold them is that witness for Christ which not only changes personal lives, but also is a force for changing the world around it with love.