I had a wonderful experience of unity with another church that follows Jesus yesterday. It's so good to see the beauty of Christ in the unique graces of other churches, whom the Bible says are each uniquely, literally 'brides of Christ' and a 'body of Christ' manifested in this world AS A COMMUNITY - not just individuals. Have you celebrated the unique beauty of your/our church lately? Are you able to name and celebrate the unique beauty and grace of other 'brides of Christ' in your community, more often than critiquing them? Its a good exercise to do so, especially regarding 'those' churches you most dislike. Jesus loves them all collectively, as he does each person who follows him individually.
I GREATLY missed worship at Lake Forest (can't wait to catch up online to see the new Ministry Partners join, baptisms, sermon by Mitch White and joy-of-joys, the individualGod-stories). BUT I was honored to be invited to preach at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church 's annual Family Day. I made the tough decision to say 'yes' and fit their timing (it's always the first Sunday in June), even though I have only missed one, maybe two Ministry Partner/Baptism/God-story Sundays in LFC's 15 year history.
Worship was outside, while fish, chicken and burgers were grilling. I highlighted Mt Olive's founding in 1868, the great saints that have come before, thanked them for their long term single-minded witness to Jesus in Huntersville, then reminded them that Jesus' call to be a disciple is a calling to 'go' and live as a 'sent one,' a missionary all day long in your own culture.
Then it was a good old church family picnic. The line never stopped circulating - oh my it was good.
There was fun stuff for kids of all ages.
I so value our partnership with this church and my friendship with Pastor Byron Davis (here with my parents, Angie, Dylan and one of his football teamates from high school).
Thus far we have advocated together for local micro-justice issues in the town of Huntersville, we have partnered on our India mission trip internationally and hosting the homeless and feeding the hungry locally. Now I'm looking forward to taking our two church's relational and mission partnership to new levels next fall.
I come away from this worship experience BOTH more in love with the unique bride of Christ called Lake Forest Church AND more appreciative of the beauty of other brides/bodies of Christ, especially Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church.
Romans 12:5 "So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Revelation 19:7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready."
