Why I love my Church

A friend of mine sent me and a few others an e-mail asking about Christmas Eve services and recommendations for churches. Immediately I said 'Imago Dei, it's awesome' and gave the website. Ironically earlier that same night I was having a discussion with someone whom I know would really enjoy Imago, but he won't go because the name happened to be one of a certain author's churches. Anyways...

After I quickly shot that e-mail, I was laying in bed coming up with a case to present as to why I love my church and why my friend would like it to. This is what I came up with:

1. When you walk in the door, you come as you are. No pretending, no need to be perfect, just walk in and you'll feel welcome. Chances are you will always see a smiling face even if you aren't feeling like smiling yourself.
2. The messages are directed as growing personally as a church. We work through scripture together and it's not just a self help type of service. We don't have 4 steps to a better life or an outline that tells how you should handle one situation or another. Through historical research and comparison to Scripture, we dig through topics that are relevant and important and work through them together. It's not about you have to live this way, and don't do this, it's about how can we better ourselves to better this world. Loving God and loving others.
3. You don't just hear one person behind a lecturne every Sunday. Various community members have the opportunity of sharing their story and it gives a sense of family, a church family.
4. If you have a servant's heart, Imago Dei would be the right fit. The amount of work the church body is doing around the community is why I love my church. Serving breakfast to the homeless, building lasting relationships with families at RiverWest, and Adopt-A-Block. But it's not a bragging point. It is very important that it stays that way. Serve because you want to, not because you feel like you'll be a better Christian.
5. Honest discussion. I've never felt as open and un-judged as when I'd have discussions with any one at Imago. People always ask you, "How are you?" And there are sometimes one just can't lie. But even if I'm not feeling at my best I know I can say that and they will love me and pray for me as I would for them. It's called being real in a community.

There are so many other reasons why I love Imago Dei but this is the start. And to think I felt God was calling me to a different church and backed out of helping lead this great church plant. All I know is I've never been back to that other church since Imago started and I'm excited to volunteer in any way I can to help this place grow.

Advent Conspiracy

A theme around our church lately has been about Advent Conspiracy. Combating consumerism around the holidays and doing more with our giving. We are deciding to read the book as a small group and since it was a quick read I decided to give the entire thing a go before our gathering on Wednesday.

My thoughts:
1. My first impression that ended up lasting throughout the 7 chapters was that it was a call to join a mission that has been set out by a group of pastors. In my opinion I'd say it was similar to an altar call. I am not discounting their mission by any means it's just what it felt as I was reading it. Informational pamphlet.
2. I got some really good ideas after reading of how I can give gifts relationally without feeling guilty about spending money.
3. My eyes were opened up to face the truth that I am ass backwards. Around the holidays my consumerism is not as evident as the other 11 months of the year. I think particularly because it's always so awkward to tell people what you want them to buy you. If there's something I want, I save up and buy it. If anything I think I purposely avoid going shopping for myself or others during that month. (The crazies come out.)

All in all, some good thoughts. I can't imagine myself making any drastic changes around Christmas spending just because there aren't really any I can take away? BUT a good reminder for the rest of the year that there are projects that could use funding instead of my habits or desires.

Family..

Call it the Christmas Spirit seeping it's way into my heart or maybe the Holy Spirit opening up my eyes, but this week I've had quite a different perspective on my family.

I know I bitch and moan about how stressful family situations are, and by this post I'm not discounting them at all. I do not enjoy feeling the way I feel about circumstances out of my control but when the day is done you can't choose who has the same DNA as you.

I was driving home yesterday feeling very safe and secure in my car with 4 new tires and 2 new brakes. Partially due to my Grandma and Grandpa and my mother giving me some Christmas & birthday money in advance. Gifts are such a sore subject in my family, but when they all heard I was going to have to spend a considerable amount of money I did not have to ask for it. That warms my heart. My mom knows how I stress about finances and has never said no if I've ever asked, but the thing about it this time was that I didn't even have to ask. I can remember last Christmas my dad and grandma helped me out with some trips I was taking also.

I purposely don't ask for help because either I'm too stubborn or too independent, but as I look back my family has been willing to help. When I ask and they can't, I just know I'm supposed to go through the struggle to make me a better, more responsible person. Weird, I think I'm growing up.