Building the Church vs. BEING the church.

I wasn't teaching yesterday, so it was another one of those Sundays where I got to sit back a bit and just observe our Weekend Worship experiences through a different lens.

Here are just a few things I observed yesterday:

• I saw people serving EVERYWHERE. By the time I got to church, the parking lot was full of volunteers! 
• I watched a married couple sit and have coffee together in our lobby over an hour before the services.
• I witnessed as one woman comforted and cried with another woman who just found out she had cancer.
• I watched musicians and artists use their talents for the Lord.
• I watched as two worship services full of people engaged in worship on a very meaningful level.Our worship services have changed so much in the past year...for the better!
• I was approached by two young women with checkered pasts who have had their lives turned upside down for Jesus since attending MLC!
• I was introduced by a woman who invited her entire family to church yesterday and they showed up...and loved it!
• I was approached by a man after his first time visit to a church in 35 years, who told me we had sure changed the way he thought about church. He said he'd be back!
• I witnessed a church be encouraged and challenged by a life changing message by someone OTHER THAN the Sr. Pastor. Home Run, Blake!

I LOVED being at our church yesterday. I LOVED worshiping at our church yesterday. I LOVED seeing the church BE the church yesterday. I sure loved building this church the first ten years under the Lords' leadership. These days, however, I think I love helping the church BE the church MORE. That's what fires me up. What about you?