There is a moment that I can vividly remember sitting in a big church building with people I adore who were feuding over a particular leader along with any other thing they could toss in the fight. It was heartbreaking and not God-honoring worried more about Robert’s Rules of Order than the Word of God.

As tears streamed down my face, I knew in this moment that we could not stay. I am so thankful for our journey since this moment years ago, but I still wonder if it was the God thing to do. God has called us to stay at the table. Jesus set this example with his meal with Judas on the night of his betrayal. I believe it is a point that many of us overlook as we search for a new place to worship.

My Dad and brother have a t-shirt customer that orders shirts that say, “Be the change”. I believe this is really vague and could mean different things to different people. That’s why it works. This shirt triggered me to reflect on what change do I want to see? What does that mean for me? It means doing the hard stuff like having hard conversations, praying, staying, and acting in a manner that is Christ-like. 

This verse in John 13:35 keeps circling in my head. They will know us by our love. Will they know us if we continue to allow ungodly things to happen in our churches without a word? Will they know us if we continue to fight amongst ourselves and simply walk away when it gets hard? Will they identify us as followers of Christ when we can’t even agree on what that looks like?

I had a friend that was a Messianic Rabbi. He came to that big church and led us through a seder. Afterward, several of us went to lunch. He shared many stories, but one that particularly caught my attention was one of a house fire.

He shared that one of the families in his temple experienced a devastating house fire. The other families got together and rebuilt their home. Not just donated or carried casseroles (both which are fabulous ways to love on families in crisis), but physically hammered and painted and all the things to restore the family home.

I was in complete awe of this story. I know many churches that struggle to have nursery workers for an hour on Sunday or workers for a church clean up day. I can’t even begin to imagine if someone needs paint volunteers or sheetrock help.

I think we are missing out on the true church model that God established and Jesus modeled. Community. Real. Genuine community. Where needs are met by the other members of the community. Resources are shared. Meals are at tables full of people in the community. Conversations around the table or the volleyball court revolve around the teachings of Jesus.

I long for that kind of community. We stay at the table through the hard things. No one suffers alone. We operate around the principles of God’s word in order and sincerity. We share meals, hearbreaks, joy, and all the things.

That “Be the Change” t-shirt is hitting a little harder. It feels much more like a call to arms than a vague statement right now.

What is the picture that comes to mind when someone says church? Does it bring warm fuzzy feelings? Does it look like love? Does it feel like community? If not, what will we do to “Be the Change”? I genuinely want to know what you think.

Much love, peeps!