Let's Be THAT Church!

​As many of you know, I’m a Cubs fan. Born near and living in the Near North Side of Chicago for most of my childhood, that was a cross to bear until “Salvation” came and the "curse" was broken last week when the Cubs won their first World Series Championship in 108 years! So it was only fitting that I closed yesterday’s service with a quote from Steve Goodman, Chicago’s legendary folk musician and singer and, of course, die-hard Cubs fan. He wrote the song that's still in my head: “Go, Cubs, Go!” Goodman once said, “I suppose I love baseball more than the Cubs, but I love baseball because of the Cubs.”

So I wanted to turn that around for us on Sunday and make a confession of my own: I love God more than I love the church, but I love God because of the church! I have had so many church experiences in my life that have led me to this incredible relationship with God! Let’s be THAT church! The one where people fall in love with God, surrender to God’s call upon their lives, and find meaning and joy in being generous and imaginative. We can be a place where people can discover resilience for the journey of faith. Become that space in people’s lives where they can become the evidence of God’s love in the world. It saddens me that so many today simply see “the Church” as just another flawed institution and not a place where they can discover a love that will change them forever. Indeed, we are not perfect, but we are on the right path and I firmly believe we are being faithful to God’s call upon our lives. Won’t you come and see what God is doing in our midst and notice a love that is waiting for you to embrace? We can be THAT church together!

Thanks Steve, for reminding us where our true loves come from! (All Cubs fans can relate to that blank stare!)