Oh, the Church, the CHURCH!

This photo captures something of what I believe the Church is to be - joyful, vibrant, fully alive, attractive. This past weekend I visited a church like this - and I came home jazzed about The Church.
       Flying back to Denver on Monday I reflected on what makes that church so alive. A few things struck me:
1. They are fully bought into God's mission in the world. This church was "missional" long before the word existed!
2. The only person this church is about is Jesus. It's not about a pastor and how good his sermon is or anything like that;
3. The church is extravagantly generous. They understand well that it's all God's anyway, and they have the privilege of investing His money;
4. They are innovative and risk-taking, not satisfied with success or the status quo;
5. The are corporately self-less. it's just not about them - not about a program or a building or survival or reputation. It is all about God and serving others for the Kingdom sake!

Oh, what a living-giving church!