Kristen says I should blog more-Yes I know. We have been without our own internet service for a couple of weeks and we don't have anyone besides family that we really talk to so we are limited in our access. Also I have been very frustrated with Church and I have not wanted to post things that would only cause anger and hurt. Some things are not for everyone to hear. A lot of my anger is wanting to be a part of a community rather than just the event on Sunday. I realized while speaking to people that I thought everyone should change the way they are doing church. Now, I don't think anyone is called to just hold the pew down for the 'church', but I think the traditional church is still important and needed for a lot of people. I have realized that my frustration has been in part due to being lead to feel that to serve the kingdom and the 'church' it must be in the context of the traditional church-Speaker, Teacher, Singer, Organizer of large projects with lots of people, ect.-I have realized that this is not so, but in wanting to be discipled there is no one who is or has done anything else that is around me. I want to be 'church' for those who are not going to come into the building.

In Mathew 9:11-13 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard this, he said, "those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means,’ I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

And in John 4:19-26 His conversation with the woman at the well, "Sir" the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship God the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now com when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth."
The woman said, "I know the Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

We know that for the most part the early Church met in homes for 'worship and instruction'. We know that "They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:46-47

Studies are showing that our Churches are not growing. We have people coming in, but most of them are not unchurched folks. They are unsatisfied people from other Churches. And at the same time Churches are closing left and right around the country.

A couple of quotes I found in Leonard Sweet's "Soul Salsa"-
"The American public is sending a clear message to Christian leaders: Make Christianity accessible and practical or don't expect [our] participation." -George Barna

"If George Barna's research is to be believed, over half of all unchurched people say they want to find a closer, personal relationship with God. They just don't know how to find it. Barna's conclusion: 'These are not people who are anti-religion. These are people who believe for the most part in some kind of god or deity. They simply haven't been able to figure out, 'How do I make it real...in my life.'" -Leonard Sweet

And this is me, "It is a growing trend that postmodern spiritual seekers would rather be a part of a small, committed order or team on a journey than be an attender in a large, impersonal worship service." -Andrew Jones

We know that what we put our faith in is very much real and accessible to everyone. Why do we stay up inside of the "house on the hill" "telling it from the mountain top" and expecting people to climb the mountain to us. We are the ones who believe and have seen in our lives. We should be the ones making the trek. We are the temple. We should be calling people into our lives not our buildings. This is why Christ calls us to GO.

Lord Jesus I pray that it is not any agenda of my own that I aspire to. Your will be done. Please help me to get off of my butt and out into the world around me that you may touch lives. Help me to not hide it under a bushel or under a steeple. Please make yourself real and visible in my life that others may see. I can do nothing without you. Guide me Father for I feel so lost. Use us to go to those places and those people who are not being reached by the traditional Church. Please bring some people in to our lives that will guide us and challenge us to seek God. Help us to love 'em all. Even when they're as messed up as we are. Thanks for being here even when we're lookin' the other way.