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.