Adults modeling kindness and respect for each other.
Children who operate happily within boundaries.
A coming together in hard times.
A quick-to-forgive policy that operates easily.
An absence of put-downs, you-should-haves, it's-your-faults.
Loved as you are.
Tender. Authentic. Messy. Real. Unconditional. In it for the long haul. God in charge.Think of one of your favorite churches. You watch them closely and you see:
Adults modeling kindness and respect for each other.
Children who operate happily within boundaries.
A coming together in hard times.
A quick-to-forgive policy that operates easily.
An absence of put-downs, you-should-haves, it's-your-faults.
Loved as you are.
Tender. Authentic. Messy. Real. Unconditional. In it for the long haul. God in charge.Until the local church can grow the same roots that families grow, it is unstable and unprepared for the assault that the enemy of God is sure to wage.
It is little wonder that the enemy pecks constantly at the root system of a church. He knows that a church operating like a family changes the world beyond its walls:
It doesn't fight for self; each person puts others above self.
It doesn't fight over doctrine; it teaches Christ crucified.
It doesn't bicker over vision; it respects the leadership God has designed.
It doesn't seek to tear down; it always builds up.
It doesn't organize to be together less; it looks for ways to be together more.If family is the blueprint for the local church and God has been given the reins, there are no limits to what Christ will do with the unflagging energy and unconditional love that grows within.
Someone in each community is asking:
Would we ever ask: should I be part of a family?
The seeds of strength for the local church come through as its willingness to earn status as God's most famous unit of all: family.
Image: www.caseyspitnale.com
Comments are welcome at feedyourstrength@gmail.com.
