Yesterday I rambled about the future of our church – and looking back at it – I was thinking specifically of our church, here – First Baptist Church of Levelland. But today I am thinking more about the Church (Big C). This is a frustrating time to be in ministry but, if you look at it from a different perspective, this could very well be one of the most exciting times in the history of the Christian movement.
Marjorie Thompson, in Soul Feast, has said that we are living in an era not unlike the environment in which the First Great Awakening took place. If that is really true, how cool would that be to be part of a new and fresh inbreaking of God’s spirit into our world. She says that people are more “spiritually minded” today than they have been in many, many years. But the flip side of this reality is that at the same time, they are anti-religion.
As I think about that fact, I am reminded of the world in which Jesus lived. People were spiritually hungry but religion had moved beyond its intent and become a structure void of much meaning. We tend to see the Pharisees of the Bible as extremists. But in reality, they were the mainline denominational folks.
Don’t hear me say that I am anti-denomination – it has its place. But if the structure is void of spiritual meaningfulness – what are we really trying to accomplish? Maybe as a Church (big C) we need to focus on a relationship with God and then on the people God would have us reach out to on a daily basis with God’s love and grace. There is a plan and a future for those who humbly and earnestly seek God’s face.
Are you in?
Clay in the Hands 
Good stuff!!!