For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Perhaps this is wrong, but I have a hard time trusting church people who never admit imperfection.

I don’t mean imperfection of the minor kind. I don’t care that your kids’ school lunches aren’t perfectly balanced, or that you skipped yoga class three times last week. I mean real imperfection. You got addicted to something. You got fired from your job. Or you messed up big time and it was all your fault.

When people and things at a church are just a little too neat and tidy, I get a little curious about that church’s spiritual life. Why? Because no one’s life is neat and tidy, and Christians should be the first ones to admit that.

Christians are people who have received grace. We should be people who know at our bedrock that we once were broken badly, and that God loved us and lifted us up.

I heard a speaker at a conference recently who was asked what is best indication that a congregation will die. She replied, “A church that is full of people who cannot tell you about God’s grace in their own lives.”

Why? Because people who know that they have received God’s grace, and who don’t forget it, know what church is all about. It’s not about keeping up appearances. It’s not about appearing morally righteous. It’s not about saying the right things and getting ahead. It’s about knowing that you once were lost and now are found.

Let us strive to be a church full of people that can tell the stories of our rock bottoms without shame, so that we will be a church that truly can share God’s grace.

Cliff

CHURCH NEWS:

·         The Pumpkin Patch is in full swing. Sign-up to assist with this important outreach.

·         Pray for our Mission Team in Key West. They are there Tuesday -Saturday this week.