Church is…

That’s a loaded question. I think for most, the sentence will end with something negative. The sentence will end with an awful story of when someone was talked about, put down, kicked out, not welcome, and never going back. That is an true statement for most people.

I think one of the reasons are people failing to admit who they are. So as a pastor, let me let you in on the people of the Branch Church, my self-included.

The Church is….. a mess! We are! Plain and simple. No running around it. No denying it. We are a mess.

The staff’s a mess. I am a mess. Most of the people I have talked to in the church are a mess. Its true. In some way, shape, or form, we are a mess.

AND I LOVE IT! It feels so great walking with those people and doing life with our church and not feeling like I am the only one hurting, confused, or struggling.I love how we talk about it and how we are real about it.

The culture that is starting to take form at The Branch Church is one of grace and love. Because when we can start being true about our own shortcomings, it’s hard to judge others on theirs. We all realize that if we could fix ourselves, then we we have already done it?

There is a theme throughout the Bible about boasting in your weaknesses. About admitting your shortcomings and admitting when you have blown it. That you are not your own solution.

This is the Gospel.

I am trying to understand the culture that has been created in most churches that seems so obviously contrary to what the Bible teaches. When Paul, author of most of the New Testament, comes out with a statement like this, I think we need to listen.

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” 2 Corinthians 11:30

So to my family at The Branch, keep it up. I am so proud of you. The more we are open about who we really are, the better King Jesus becomes in our lives. The more we are open about where we fail, the better friends and neighbors we become. And the more we are honest about our shortcomings, the better we can love ourselves.

I heard a quote yesterday about parenting from Brene Brown that I think expresses what the church should be.

“Our job is to look and say, “You know what? You’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” That’s our job””