What Do You Love About Your Church?

This morning, a friend on Twitter, @benreed, asked a simple question. I gave it some thought.

What do you love about your church?

Well, thanks for asking. I'd love to share.

In fact, that's Reason No. 1:

1. I love to share.

My church gives me tons of opportunities to do that. Eight years ago, in fact, I decided to step beyond my fear that it would tangle up my schedule & I began showing up on Sunday mornings in a room filled with adorable kindergartners. Sure, we pretty much passed the time playing. We learned a bit about Jesus but, mostly, we laughed. Something surprising happened on the floor in that circle of energized faces. Sharing myself gave me more than I could give. 'Tis why, so many years later, I'm still doing it. Only now those kids are halfway through middle school - and some of us are still laughing together each Sunday. And, as we continue to learn a bit about Jesus, they are stepping ever nearer an enduring faith of their own. I fiercely want that for them and my own children, because life beyond the walls of home can get kinda crazy. I know mine did. Faith in Someone greater who wholly cares saved me.

2. I stay awake.

That might seem like a given, since I'm pretty much outta my pi's by then (though I have to admit that casual dress is WONDERFUL), but I spent puhlenty of years dodging the sandman during Sunday services before discovering our church. To be quite candid, I wasn't really into the whole church thang, anymore, once I escaped childhood. I don't mean to glorify our pastor, Andy Stanley, but I am grateful for his lessons that are captivating, relevant and, yes, understandable. I don't have to fight the mire of my own murky comprehension, because he brings the Bible to life as few can. And, by the way, if Andy's messages aren't enough to engage your mind and heart, the musicians will surely wake you up! Praise and worship in our church is all about joy and that is plentiful - and loud!

3. My kids love it.

In 1999 (remember that long ago?), a few friends, unconnected, urged me to try "that new North Point" church. Curiosity finally got me. My kids refused to leave. I loved that, not only did they adore their Upstreet small groups & I didn't have to sweat their anxiety, but KidStuf invited me into the mix with them. Just seemed like a game changer to me to hear what they were learning and extend that into our home. My son and daughter have been through nearly every student environment now - and have volunteered as student leaders in several of them. In Transit, they had fantastic small group leaders who invested in them, even away from church and, at Inside Out, they found it's possible to be cool among your high school friends and still love the Lord. Now I can send them to college with healthy roots that run deep. That satisfies my deepest wish.

4. People like me there.

You know those commercials of friends on the beach, laughing arm in arm, having a grand ol' time? Well, that's how I feel at my church. Everyone is happy to be together and, from the get go, we have something in common - a love that is crazy big or at least growing toward Jesus Christ and an ache for connection. For those of us who have ever wrestled with insecurities or loneliness, it's great to be surrounded by acceptance, no matter my flaws. Jesus gave it to me first. My church just took His lead and runs with it.

5. It's not done, yet.

A few months ago, I was invited to join the staff of our church and it has been heartening to see, from both sides of the coin, that they are still stretching and bending and reaching and growing as individuals. They know they don't know everything about serving Jesus well and are so hungry to learn and share. They try stuff that maybe shouldn't be tried - and I love that, much of the time, it WORKS and someone new connects to the heart of a heavenly Father who adores. There is nothing stagnant about our church - and that nudges me to keep the same true about myself!

*Don't believe in Jesus? Hey, I'm not telling you what to embrace. I just love the guy. His ways are my ways now. That's a win for me and my family. I want you to find your Win, too! Your church may look very different from mine and your faith might have another shape. My genuine wish (hope, desire, prayer!) is that you have found or will discover that God loves you personally and wholly.

If you need evidence, please take a candid look at me. I'm a mess on my best day. 

But I'm a Loved mess.

That keeps me going one more day.