We’re on the same team!!!

By Pastor Di on 2/17/10

Recently, one of our guests to Canyon Creek emailed me some feedback after his first visit at Canyon Creek.  I was excited to share his experience because, though this man is a great-grandfather with a personal church style preference that is very different than Canyon Creek, he was able to appreciate who God has created Canyon Creek to be, and what he has tasked us to do in this world.  I find it very sad when the people who are called to love God and love others get sidetracked on “critiquing” each others’ ways of fulfilling their God-given mission.  With the overwhelming amount of lost people in this world; waiting for someone to share the “Good News” of Jesus’ love for them, I have come to two humble conclusions.
First, there are plenty of lost, and broken people walking this earth for every church on the planet to “share”.  There are so many, in fact, that every church in the world could be full to overflowing with no room for those who are still lost.  I have realized that it is not the fault of the Lutheran or Presbyterian churches down the street that the church I attend is not full, so there is no sense in placing blame there.  Nor is there any sense in putting blame on the “mega church” who keeps “stealing all our people.” It is MY responsibility to be “salt and light” to the people that God has placed in my sphere of influence. And what really matters most of all, is not WHERE they go to church, but that they find Jesus as their Savior and have their life transformed by his love and grace.  There are plenty of people for the many churches on planet earth, and since we Christians are all on the same team, it seems fitting to me that we would all celebrate the victories of people meeting Jesus and lives being transformed…whichever church they choose to plant themselves in!
Second, “my church” is not going to appeal to everyone. Everyone is different and not everyone is going to like what I like.  I like loud music, lots of passion in worship, and motivating, deep Bible messages.  I also love to know people and be known by others.  I love to sip coffee during church and watch movie clips that bring a message point to life.  I also love moments of reverence while taking communion or kneeling before my Father God during worship or prayer.  For those who have different preferences during a church service, or in what a church offers, I believe that as long as the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, most of the rest is an issue of style and preference.  And as much as people differ from each other, and as much as that is, OF COURSE, okay, there are also a multitude of styles of church.  Part of my “job” at Canyon Creek, is to help people connect here; both to God and to others.  But I can often be found encouraging people to try Mill Creek Foursquare or Bethany Christian Assembly, or North Creek Presbyterian.  If a gasp just escaped your mouth, you may need to adjust your perspective.  There is no perfect church, and no church is perfect for EVERYONE.  Your church may not appeal to someone, but mine might!  And mine may not be the right fit for someone, but yours might be perfect!  The point is: WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM, AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF HURTING PEOPLE TO GO AROUND!

With our recent guest’s permission I have included his experience below.  My hope is that it moves the Christians in this world one step closer in the quest for unity.  Our broken world needs it.

“Sunday, 2/7, I attended your Church as a first time guest.  I am a Great Grandfather and I am almost positive I was the oldest person in the church.  I was with my Granddaughter and her husband and I was receiving my Christmas present from them.  Prior to Christmas I presented a list of gifts, to my family, that I wanted that did not cost any money.  On that list one of the items was to spend a Sunday together in church.  Well, they invited me to join them at Canyon Creek Church and what a wonderful gift that was.  The music was a little different, well maybe a lot different, than I hear in my Presbyterian Church, but I love music and really enjoyed it.  The message had real meaning and the presentation was done in the jargon of today’s world which is most important.  What a wonderful feeling it gave me, as a Great Grandfather, to check the box on the connection card “Choose to believe that I have a future”.  It was wonderful for me to see a room full of young people experiencing the love and word of God and gives me great hope for the future of our world.  You people of Canyon Creek Church are doing the Lords work in a wonderful and exciting way and my daily prayers will be for your continued growth and success.  I will give my Grandfather efforts to encouraging my Granddaughter and her family to be in Canyon Creek Church every Sunday.” 

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