love the church, not the health

I am excited this past week to see and hear of people in the church taking steps in their growth:

• reading a book on theology
• reading the Bible in a new translation and seeing truths in a new light
• commitment to give and witness
• coming back to church after a long time of wandering
• new avenues of ministry and outreach

In many ways, we are not “healthy”, and I’m sure we can always be about growing in the Lord and being more healthy, but how do you measure the health, really?  As pastor it is easy to fall in love with the “idea of a healthy church” or “ways to get more healthy” or “if we can only get to this point, then we will be healthy.” 

God calls me to love you for who you are now, and I do.  I don’t do this out of duty or service, but you are all my brothers and sisters and family to me.  In many ways I am closer to you than my own flesh and blood.

I pray we would all grow more in our walks and in Christ-likeness and in our spiritual health.  Regardless, I love you.