church

“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

~Psalm 122:1

I often think about the beautiful variety of people in the family of God—those surrendered to Jesus Christ and made children of God (John 1:12-13). Over the past 2000 years and into today, incalculable people groups and types are included—and, as the Apostle Paul said in the first century, we are all one in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26-28). At my church (which is huge), I get to see this glorious spectrum every week And, honestly, since attending this community, my eyes have been even more open to the stunning breadth of my spiritual family…I could fill pages with stories of miraculous ways the Lord has brought unexpecting people through the doors.

But, as noted, our church is in that “mega” category. We have 16 campuses (including 4 within prison walls), and two more about to open, with tens of thousands of people attending in person each weekend at all the campuses. And we’re growing rapidly to impact more cities and states. My husband and I have to remind ourselves not to ever take for granted the hundreds of salvations that happen with an invitation on a single Sunday, as well as the thousands of baptisms per year. God is on the move here.

As exciting as it is to be part of what He is doing through our church and the myriad people, I was reminded recently about the variety of God’s family gatherings—church—and the sweetness of the small. My husband and I traveled to Tampa for his work, and we ended the time at a small downtown church service with new friends. Maybe 60 people at most. (A mere few months ago there were about 5 people, with rotating pastors, so God is on the move here too!) The praise and worship was fire—and so was the sermon. 

But then, we got to experience something I almost forgot was a thing. After service, we gathered in the small fellowship hall for a potluck meal. The entire congregation, from an eight-day-old to 80 years. One magician entertained, then another—the second reminding the children (and all of us) who we are in Christ through magic and song. Favorite recipes were shared, including sweet homemade-with-love cake. Oh, but what overwhelmed me most was the sweet spirit of the gathering. Profound joy of the Lord. And a deep bond among once-strangers-now-family, only found through Jesus. In fact, I may not again meet in this life the octogenarian couple we sat across the table from. But I assure you, when I see them in glory, we’ll reminisce about that amazing hummingbird cake at the Concord Baptist Church fellowship.

Praise God for His Church. And churches. Whether it’s my congregation of thousands, an underground church in Iran, a house church in South Korea…or a small—but growing—congregation in downtown Tampa. Whatever church looks like, it’s a beautiful thing. 

Lord, may we—Your Church—not give up meeting together (Hebrews 10:25), but be enamored by Your wide spectrum of people. Our brothers and sisters.