What if...my church, my house

"What if people were invited to come tell what they already know of God instead of to learn what they are supposed to believe? What if they were blessed for what they are doing in the world instead of chastened for not doing more in the church? What if church felt more like a way station than a destination? What if the church's job were to move people out the door instead of trying to keep them in, by convincing them that God needed them more in the world than in the church?" ("Leaving the Church" by Barbara Brown Taylor)

This portion of a book I am reading so accurately tells how I feel - that I wanted to share it. I feel compelled to pass on these thoughts not only to my friends, but to a younger generation who will be leading the church in the future (and even now)..... After 32 years in ministry, I have experienced enough and seen enough to speak - with no malice, no anger, no judgement - but with a keen sense of clarity and love for the Body of Christ. Remember we are part of His Body. The world needs us - just as we are - it's OK. And it needs us to be who we are - God's children - His family - we don't have to appeal to the people with hype, smoke, entertainment, great marketing plans, or compromising our new birth - His life in us - let's give people more credit than that - they want authentic Christianity - they want real people just being followers of Jesus Christ- "preaching the Gospel and using words only if necessary"
They don't care how you dress - they don't measure your spirituality by how much money or material things you have.. they just want someone real.

I have to admit, I have been embarrassed by much of what I see with ministry - my perspective now is broadened and I have spent time repenting and asking forgiveness if I have offended anyone or treated anyone wrong while in ministry - I truly never intended to, but I am sure I did. I have been helping people lately who don't have much - heck, I don't have much, but I am grateful for what I have. But I realize how strange I must have looked to some....subscribing to fund raising letters that ask for material things - when I know full well, some person with only a dime to his name will give it - please don't... I don't think God will even respond to many of these mail pleas, don't feel you must.

I had to look at my church - my house - to find the church, my house... and just because I looked at it and asked God questions about it doesn't mean I am not saved, don't love God - actually it was quite healthy for me.

This is about my journey, my thoughts, right or wrong to you....it is my own discovery and I trust I will be able to take all I have learned (and much I have learned from my own loving family) and be productive for this next part of the journey... Much has been deposited into my life which I am grateful for - So I may not always "say" it the best or express it the best, but I am new to this - actually having an opinion and passing it on.