What's so Great About Christianity?

I know...this may seem like a strange question....especially coming from someone who grew up in this thing all my life. My thought this past weekend has been how big the community is within Christianity. So many times we tend to think that we've got a corner on God. God can move in our church setting. God can have His way in our church setting but what if God chooses to move in another church setting other than our own? Will we support it? Will we judge it? Will we look down on it?

I've come to realize that there is a global community that is so much greater than just our small groups here and there. I love the thought that there are groups of people gathering everywhere serving, loving, reaching out, evangelizing, ministering, blessing and any other adjective that one could ever imagine.

Church should be THE place where community is nurtured and encouraged. Church should be THE place where people can be open and vulnerable and be loved and accepted. Church should be THE place where fellowship is sweet. Church should be THE place where we fall in love with God and each other every time we get together.

This next statement may seem critical and judgemental but please hear my heart in this. I don't mean it to be. However; what I am finding is that the Modern Day Church is very far removed from the original. We have become a club, a clique. We don't embrace others. When new people come in, do they feel welcomed and loved?

Now I realize that there are churches and assemblies who are moving and loving and accepting of people. So this is just a general statement and not a condenmation or a lumping together of everyone.

The Bible says that they will know that we are His disciples because we have love for one another. My challenge is this: Pentecostals: don't just love Pentecostal people. Don't just love people within your assembly. Reach beyond.

Baptists: Don't just love Baptist people. Reach Beyond.

Weslyans: Don't just love Weslyan people. Reach Beyond.

There is a global community of believers who need loved. There is a global community of believers-to-be that need loved. Reach beyond.

So to answer the question posed here: What makes Christianity great SHOULD BE love. Where am I on the love meter?

You may say, Clay, I don't see Christianity as being great because I don't see love. I see in-fighting, people who hurt people, politics, etc.

I know.

And what about history? Alot of wars were fought on religious grounds? Is that love?

No.

So where is the love?

Why do people stop going to church? It's because they don't feel loved, appreciated, accepted, heard. So how can I say Christianity is great?

What's great about christianity is that we have the opportunity to change history. We have the opportunity to do something about it. It's up to this generation to change things. It's up to us to operate out of a love that is greater than our own. It's up to us to make people feel loved, accepted, appreciated and heard. It's up to us to be open and vulnerable and to allow each other the same privilege.

That's what's going to make Christianity great again. Taht's what is going to make church the Haven it was meant to be. I want to return to the original plan. The original purpose. We have love one for another.

This is a long blog. I hope I gave you something to think about. :)