grace and truth

I went to my first Ministry Community Gathering today. I wanted to see what it was about. It's basically a meeting for anyone and everyone at Lighthouse who want to know what's happening within our church community in all the various ministries and to share and discuss the church's visions and goals. I didn't really know what to expect. It kinda reminded me of the members meeting at RHLBC. But I'm really glad I went to this meeting. A lot of times at big churches like Lighthouse, many people just come and go. They arrive on Sunday morning, sing a few songs, jot down some message notes, meet a few new people and they leave. I was like that a few months ago. But today, I was reminded that there is so much more that goes on within the church body. To be truly plugged-in to a church isn't just to serve but to understand and know what the church's vision and goals are, what is beyond Sunday service and just greeting people at the door.

One of the major things shared during this meeting brought me to tears. I'm sadden by what has come upon our church family. It became so much more apparent to me today that Satan is on the constant prowl and he is out to attack us. Our church has been hit with a very serious issue, we're going to face some very tough trials and we will take some very hard blows. My heart went out to Pastor Wayne and the other leaders who have to take the stance and protect the flock. These decisions won't be easy to make and I was touched by Pastor Wayne's humility, as well as his openness to share this issue with the community. He had no answers. He didn't know what to do and he willingly admitted that. Today, I saw my pastor stumbling for words and asking for prayer. I can't imagine what must be going through his head right now. I can't imagine the hurt in his heart. I can't imagine God's hurts as He watches His children suffer. There were many questions from the group, much shared opinions and suggestions but ultimately, we must be sensitive to God's heart and His desires for us and it's up to the leaders to make the decisions for the rest of the church body to align with God's will.

We live in a world filled with rationale, logistics and politics. Grace and forgiveness is scarcely thought of, let alone given. Pastor Wayne shared with us passages from John 1:14-18, John 7:53 - 8:11 and Titus 2:11-14. These are all passages concerning grace & truth. Christ offers us grace and reveals to us the truth. As the Body of Christ we need to be a community marked by grace and truth. To offer forgiveness but to not ignore and hide the sin. I don't know if this member is guilty or not but he is our brother nonetheless and I pray for God's protection over him and the Spirit of Peace to comfort him during this time.

We ended this particular sharing with a prayer for God's protection over our family, the members involved and wisdom and peace for the leaders. Pray for your church leaders! They need your prayers! I feel this meeting has drawn me yet another step closer to my church community and the inner circle of servants and leaders within the church. I am blessed to be part of this family. You can wait until you feel you belong in the church family or you can take the initiative to be a part of the church family. I have been humbled and enlightened. I have been marked by grace and truth.