A different kind of church story...

This sign is an oxymoron to some. Why is that? Does it have to be that way? So many stories about churches are filled with negative experiences and horror stories of church division. I know that those experiences are real and happen more often than they should. The last couple of conventions and conferences I have attended have been filled with stories and illustrations about church splits, mean deacons, and mean Christians in general. I have in the past been a complainer and have repented of that, and I am still working on it. But allow me just a moment to complain about the complainers. So much of what we do is affected by our attitude. Quite frankly we have a lot of stinking thinking in our churches and in our convention. Call me naive, but I love my church. I love the people in my church. "You are on your honeymoon!" you say. You are correct. But who says the honeymoon has to end? My wife and I have been married for only seven years, but we are still on our honeymoon. Yes we have had our share of ups and downs. But a wise person once said, "Don't ever stop dating your spouse." Maybe some of us in church work should apply that to our churches. Remember the honeymoon stage? Why was it a honeymoon? It was a honeymoon because the pastor was new and had a passion and excitement. The church was excited to have him. The new pastor loved on the people. The church loved on their new pastor. That is not a new concept or strategy. That is in fact the way the church is to operate. Sure there will be difficult times, but the Bible says to consider it pure joy when you encounter those trials. I honestly believe that if more of those in church leadership would just bloom where they are planted they would see a harvest. That is what I am trying to do. I have followed the Blackaby strategy and I have joined God where He is working. There is nothing like it! It is exciting to watch God do some amazing things. Let's celebrate the good things and learn from the bad. Maybe then people will actually want to join our churches.