Clay in the Hands

I was reminded this weekend that the church is more than this building or that building – and yes, even bigger than this congregation or that congregation or even this denomination or that denomination!  You hear church growth strategists use the terminology “doing church.”  I have to confess that I have even used those words in describing how we do things in the church.  But I have since come to think that it is a horrible way to describe church and the work therein.

We are to BE the church.  Saturday I had a chance to be with a couple of thousand people BEING the church.  They were all ages, all nationalities and all faith groups.  I guess there is something about standing in 98 degree temperatures in the middle of the desert and listening to Christian music that pulls people together (or maybe it is just the rock and roll).

We were at Rock the Desert and it was an awesome display of the church.  There were all kinds of people there.  In all reality, it was not the desert or the heat or even the rock and roll, but the One True Messiah that brought all those people together!  Everyone, for two days, set there structures aside to worship together.  That is the church – that is God’s people BEING the church!

And yes, there was ministry happening as well.  People were praying, serving and testifying about God’s good news of hope and love.  People were rescued from a life of devastation and misery.  Lives were changed and mine was one of them.  I firmly believe the Bible teaches that when we come into the realization of God’s presence, we walk away changed.

It happens – I’ve seen it – and I’ve got to share it with all who will listen!