Can I come?

"Can I come?"

This question has been the theme of my last couple of weeks. It's a little sad that in Christianity we have developed such a denominational club mentality that being invited and welcomed amongst Christ followers isn't assumed when we gather for worship and fellowship. I used to work for a church that actually had closed small groups. Groups who had specifically told our small groups pastor that they did not want him to send them any "new" people because they were content with the people they had. What? As we have begun meeting on Sunday nights for worship I have had several conversations, e-mails, text messages and even coffee meetings with people asking if they can come. I have been surprised every time because I have assumed that because we gather under the banner of Christ that being welcome is a given. I'm not convinced it's the banner of Christ that has the issue though (insert sarcastic glare here). The problem is that we behave like clubs more than we do communities and fellowship is a commodity that is exploited for our ego more than for edification. What we need is another good unity movement. We need a movement that doesn't estrange pastors from each other but encourages them to meet and pray together, to challenge one another and here's the tough one; to love one another. When John wrote in his first pastoral epistle that in the Church (note the capitalization) we should be known for our love for each other, he wasn't just speaking about love for each other in our local bodies but that we should have a love that knows no borders, customs or preference.

It truly breaks my heart to know the level of distrust that exists amongst the body. The strange competitive spirit between pastors that everyone knows is there but is never spoken of. The competition is more about popularity amongst Christians than anything so it's a competition where the victor has already been declared. His name is Jesus and you'll never win no matter how many butts you pack in the pew. So as we have begun to walk this path of fellowship together one of my prayers has been that we can find another group to work with, share resources, vision and be a shining light to our community of what unity can be.

Tuesday December 1^st I have meeting that may allow us that opportunity. A group of leaders here in our area has heard about what we are doing and is very excited about the possibilities of us working together. I will be going to make a presentation to them and to discuss our hopes and dreams of reaching people that no one else is reaching. I simply ask that you pray for this meeting. That Gods glory is sought out above all else, that in our plans, goals and dreams we seek to find the path of His will. If this is something you can commit to on our groups behalf everyday till the meeting please comment below with a simple "I Will". I covet your prayers on this and as usual if you have questions feel free to comment or email me.