A Major Paradigm Shift

I was just talking to a pastor who comes from Oklahoma. As I was listening to him talk and dialoging about the "church," I heard myself describing a major paradigm shift in my thinking regarding church.

Years ago, my goal was to get people to "attend church," which meant that I wanted them to attend services at the church I was leading. In those days, I expected the same people to attend three different services on Sunday (Sunday School, Morning Worship, Evening Worship). I was always frustrated that people didn't attend church as much as I thought they should.

Today, I heard myself talking about the desire I have for people to BE the church. I still believe a person should "attend" services with the church, but I am much more concerned with people acting like, and living like Jesus every day of their lives. I want them to love people and to invest in positive ways in those closest to them.

The goal of my life is to help people become all God made them to be. You see, now I TRUST people and believe God is working through them. I want them to be in relationship with people and share life together. I have found great value in relationships and value interaction with others more than using them to accomplish my goals.

Biblically, I believe this is why the Holy Spirit is promised to ALL, not just a few. It is time for people to quit passively attending "church" and start BEING the church.