I thought that I would repost this as I was really feeling it tonight – With only 3 days until we launch Vertical Church to weekly services I hope you realize that you can bring anyone. Never forget:
WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE CHURCH MEET GOD!
If the person who led worship looked like this would you care?
If the person who checked your child into the children's department had this would it bother you?
What if their life was in the process of truly being changed by God and we actually accepted them for who they were? What if we embraced the individuality and uniqueness instead of trying to conform them into our image?
When the two people in this photo serve Jesus together walls are torn down, cultures are penetrated, lives and families are forever changed. I don't believe this will happen until we ask God to change our hearts and to help us to have eyes to actually see those who need Jesus.
None of these pictures are of our people – I'm just posing a question: what if we could begin to reach people who have traditionally felt like they don't belong or fit in at church? We have so many people who fit that category in our region. Wouldn't it be amazing to see that happen? What if your "cousin" who needs God but would never go to your church would come to this one because it was different and he felt he might like to check it out – would you support it? What if that church was faithful to God's Word and delivered timeless truths in a different way, would you be in favor of it? Those of you who are praying about becoming part of the Vertical journey, are you REALLY ready to be part of a church that reaches outside of the normal church boundaries? The prayer that I am trying to consistently pray: "God, change our hearts to reflect Yours for Your world."
You know, sometimes it takes a fresh coat of paint in a different color to make people even notice that there is a building there; Same building but the color definitely changed (to Purple).
Let me say it again: I hope that you realize that you can bring anyone to Vertical Church.
This is on the money!!!
) What IS normal anyway?
I know I love a new coat of paint on the building to see it ‘freshened’ up. Why can’t we love on people that way; someone who may look a little different than the average Joe. (No offense to any of the Joe’s out there.
I have heard someone VERY influential in my life spiritually say to me, “I would hate to know I had to meet my Jesus in Heaven one day with all those tattoos all over my body like he has.” Well, you know what? I think Jesus looks beyond that? No, I KNOW HE DOES. I think he looks at the heart and nothing else. Not the hair, not the jeans, not the tattoos! How dare we say that our rank with the Lord is based upon our attire. :::sigh::: I don’t and will never even understand that mentality.
I rejoice we are all different in some way. God likes variation too. Look outside for goodness sake!!!
This is probably one of my favorite blog posts by you Mike P.! (high 5!)
1st: really? One of your favorites? Cool.
2nd: wow… someone really said that to you, huh?
All I can say is the thought of standing before a holy God whose forgiveness is all that I can count on to escape eternal damnation is intimidating enough to me whether I had tatoos or not… just standing before Him knowing how I have failed Him… :::sigh::: and knowing that He just passionately loves me anyway…
Grace.
Wow! If I was prejudging someone with tattoos, I’d be prejudging my own son, who is living for the Lord, and serving Him in another very different church. (He was also reprimanded for wearing a hat in a church recently.) Also, in the church he presently serves in, they not only have complimentary coffee, but it is allowed to be brought into the sanctuary! Oh, my goodness! Heaven forbid we should get any on the carpet!! Yes, we need a different kind of church, that loves people for who they are AT THE MOMENT! We shouldn’t have to expect them to fit in our little mold of what we think a Christian should look like before they can step foot in a church building. After all, it’s just a building. WE are the church!
Sherry, that is awesome! I am so glad to hear that your son is living for Jesus and serving as well. (don’t get me started on the hat thing… i believe that will be a post someday
I agree: a different kind of church loving people where they are and being used by God to lead them to the cross. Or as we say at Vertical, “Leading people to be passionate about Jesus so they might lead others to Jesus.” Simple.
Well put!
Thanks, Rob.
after reading this and seeing that sign in b’boro today, i may have to check out vertical church on sunday. i have tattoos. i believe in God, Jesus and the Cross. I believe my earthly body will be left and only my soul will meet Jesus. i do not like dressing up. i like jeans, tshirts and hoodies.
i hate going alone to new places…going to make my kids go! LOL
Billie: that is AWESOME! I am a jeans and tshirt person myself! See you Sunday (and make sure you speak to me).
We shouldn’t have to expect them to fit in our little mold of what we think a Christian should look like before they can step foot in a church building. After all, it’s just a building. WE are the church!
Exactly.
it’s just a building. WE are the church!
WE are the church!
it’s just a building
i have tattoos. i believe in God, Jesus and the Cross. I believe my earthly body will be left and only my soul will meet Jesus. i do not like dressing up.
Balenciaga – your faith in Jesus is the reason you will meet Him someday. We want to help people who don’t feel like they fit in find what you have. Thanks for commenting.
I think he looks at the heart and nothing else. Not the hair, not the jeans, not the tattoos! How dare we say that our rank with the Lord is based upon our attire. :::sigh::: I don’t and will never even understand that mentality.
How dare we say that our rank with the Lord is based upon our attire. :::sigh::: I don’t and will never even understand that mentality.
our rank with the Lord is based upon our attire. :::sigh::: I don’t and will never even understand that mentality.
Lord is based upon our attire. :::sigh::: I don’t and will never even understand that mentality.