I’m Looking Forward To Not Going To Church

Now, don't let the title of this entry confuse you. I love church. I'm a part of a great one right now. I love that it's a loving community that pursues me because Jesus is doing the same thing, and they're following Him. I love that it's a place of fellowship. I love that it's a place where people can exercise and discover their gifts. So why is it that one of the things I'm looking forward to in the Dominican is not going to church? 

Because I've noticed sometimes the act of going to a church makes me think I'm being the church. Because sometimes a pastor's words get stuck in my head more than the Word of God because they're attached to a mircrophone and, occasionally, a soapbox. Because an hour and a half isn't enough time on Sunday morning to encourage one another, pray with one another, and worship the many facets of my God. And right now, that seems to be what church is for me, maybe for you.

I am looking forward to showing up in a village on a Tuesday morning, meeting with locals and asking, how have  you seen God move in your life lately? Do you need to see Him move? Let's ask Him. How can I pray for you? Is someone sick in your house? Let's pray for them right now. How can I encourage you with the Word of God? Let's open it up and see. I'm looking forward to those impromtu worship sessions that start in the middle of a dirt road or under a tiki hut, without instruments or much rhythm because of the reality that God IS good just became clear to someone. No microphone, no PowerPoint, no set time, just the church being the Body of Christ. I'm looking forward to going that type of church.

The challenge is to start going to that now where I'm at…