I am not a church building hater

The subject of church has come up a lot lately. I visited my old pastor from 7 years ago and as I left his wife said, "So where do you go to church?" "You know you need to be in church."

Then one of my new and awesome friends asked me to come to a meeting where several churches are coming together to discuss building a multimillion dollar building and they want to brain storm what to put in it to attract the young folk. One of my old and yet still awesome friends said, "You just opened up a can of worms." I just smiled.

Fast forward a couple sleepless nights. I am not a church building hater. Actually, I have always dreamed of a building packed with clothes. So many clothes that you have to sit on them just to fit in the sanctuary. A kitchen with a hot meal always ready, not a trendy coffee shop. A food pantry opened 24/7. Beds and showers for those who need it. I have held on to this vision for 18 years.

I whispered to the pastors wife, "I DO church my own way." Yes, we ARE the church, it doesn't always have to be in a four walled structure. It can look like a group of friends coming over to paint. It can look like a conversation with my Alaskan friend via Facebook. It can look like the heartbreak I feel when one of my friends messes up. It can look like my friends from elementary school coming over for a "Just Dance" party.

I have a vision where the CHURCH takes care of those in need instead of the government. I have a vision of children being able to break the cycle of poverty. I have the vision where if someone is cold, hungry or wet then believers will step in and provide. I have a vision where churches stop putting their money into planting more flowers or repaving their perfect parking lot and invest the money into people instead.

This is the most personal blog I could have ever written.