One of my favorite quotes regarding the church came from Bill Hybels, and it goes like this: “There’s nothing quite like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. Whatever the capacity for human suffering, the church has a greater capacity for healing and wholeness. The potential of the local church is almost more than I can grasp! No other organization on earth is like the church. Nothing even comes close.”
Some folks have endured an unfortunate experience that now causes their reaction to that quote to be, “Yeah, right” – at the very best. Yet others would resoundingly agree with Bill. I would argue that the former experienced a gross facsimile of the church – nothing of the real sort. And many that have more beneficial experiences may not be able to articulate what made their experience more positive. In our current V3 series on the values of Vista – we’re talking about just such things.
The characteristics that Jesus holds dear in His church, and the elements of His church that must exist in authentic form to make it healthy and vibrant. And we’re trying to do more than just talk about it, but also to live it out – that’s the hard part. Without being worshipful, relational and missional, we might possibly still be something positive and even good. But we won’t be Jesus’ beloved, powerful and healthy church. Come on by and have a listen – He might just change your life…
