church — Giving Up on Perfect

Church camp, New Mexico, 1992

I’m so thankful for my church. Actually, I’m thankful for several churches:

The church where my parents met – Mom and Dad lived in different suburbs and attended different schools. If it hadn’t been for their church, they might not have met. And then where would I be?
The church I grew up in – I was taught, encouraged, challenged, protected and loved at that church. The pastor, my Sunday school teachers, the choir directors, our youth group and even the little old ladies – they all played a part in my spiritual growth. I learned the books of the Bible and all its stories, I learned life lessons with illustrations involving toothpaste and construction paper hearts, I held crying babies in the nursery and taught crafts to the children at Bible school, and I sang beautiful songs that I’ll never forget (“In Remembrance” with the adult choir, “From East to West” at church camp, Michael W. Smith’s “Give it Away” with the youth choir). The church of my childhood helped make me who I am today.
The church I was married in – Even though I didn’t grow or learn much here (I only attended on weekends home from college), it holds a special place in my heart thanks to my wedding. And the Christmas event when my brother and I performed “O Holy Night.” And my mother-in-law’s funeral, where almost 700 people piled into the sanctuary and even the pastor cried. But I’ll be honest, I mostly remember this church as the site for my wedding.
The Baptist Student Union at college – The BSU encourages its members to get involved with a local church, rather than depending on this campus organization as a church family. But for the four years I was at Truman, the BSU was my church family. I attended a local church, and it was good. But it was at the BSU that I learned why I believe what I believe. It was there that I met many of my lifelong friends. It was there that I turned when I had questions or problems or devastating news or cause for celebration. It was there I learned how much I enjoy leading Bible studies, as well as praise and worship. It was my church home.
My current church home – Pastor Bob is one of the most dynamic and convincing speakers I’ve ever heard. Pastor Todd is the most passionate and caring pastor I’ve ever met. Brett is the most talented worship director I’ve ever had the honor of working with. And the Sunday school class (or Adult Bible Fellowship, as we call them) we walked into 5 years ago has led to the most amazing and challenging experiences of my life. I learned massive amounts about doctrine and practice, I met and bonded with an amazing group of women through weekly Bible studies, I learned a boatload of lessons by planting a church with these people, and I will be friends with some of the folks I met in our ABF forever. (Cue “Friends are Friends Forever” now…)
The church we planted – I learned a lot by planting a church. I did good. I made mistakes. I’m still hurt over how it all played out. But I wouldn’t change it for the world, because I know that we answered God’s call. And I can’t wait to see what His purpose was in having us experience what we did.
The Church – God’s Church is an amazing phenomenon. The simple fact that we believe in salvation through Jesus Christ creates an automatic bond between fellow Christians. Like the way I knew I’d found a friend when the girl sitting next to me on the first day of grad school orientation told me she liked my ring (the one with “Jesus fish” on it, you know, so people know I’m a Christian). I’m thankful for my brothers and sisters who stand with me. You know who you are.