Transforming Follower.

I have been listening to more sermons online than should ever be allowed. At five-thirty or six in the morning, I'm already in bed, several days in a row, trying to listen to sermons and examine websites to surf churches. Literally, it feels like church shopping.

As I sit here, even now typing this blog, another pastor is streaming online to me. But all of this compels me to look back at different churches that I've been too, and why I found that place or ended up there. Whether my Christian Reformed Church growing up, or Wesleyan church in college, or the United Methodist Church in Charlotte, or emergent Mars Hill church after that, or undenom Crossroads for the remainder, or Presbyterian churchs since then. And now I smile as I look at this list. Because it reminds me of what is important to me, and what my Grandma and I have always talked about. That denominations aren't my favorite, really at all. I kind of despise them, literally. (Its even how I ended up at Taylor -- because it was undenom.) And my Grandma and I used to always talk about this, how we don't like denominations, but we care more about the hearts and minds and grasping of the Bible and worship at a church than the rest.

And it has me thinking this morning of Crossroads. Because it is foundationally what I am looking for: a place of Transforming Followers of Jesus Christ. I loved the worship of Crossroads; I loved the people; I loved my Community Group. But what I loved more than anything was the testimonies of the Transforming Followers of Jesus Christ.

Nearly each week, someone would stand and give testimony of God's deliverance and active work in their life. Each week, it was a gift. A reminder of what God is doing, and can do, and has done in the lives of his people. A reminder of how he chases us and bumbles us down on the ground to himself. How he redeems us and exalts us and renews us and love us. It is a reminder that God, my God, is active and alive and transforming his followers still today.

There was nothing so active or encouraging in my life in a church than these blips of hope and joy and truth and reality of our God.

~
Back before I found Crossroads, I had mapped out major points for worship, for the pieces I am dedicating to commit to finding a church to:

1. Holy Spirit: an active recognition of the work of the Holy Spirit, and belief that he still works and is active and moving today in the world and in our lives.

2. Worship: that the worship (narrowing to music here, forgive me) rocks and moves my whole being, that simply being in the midst of the worship and music is an act of worship itself. (And, if I can be distinct, that it is full of praise and hymns and sung loud and boldly and joyfully with guitars and keyboards/piano, and whatever else leads the soul to proclaim the reality of the awe of God.)

3. Prayer: that it foundational. Essential. Recognized. The breath of the Church.

4. Community: that the church operates as the First Church of Acts. That they fellowship, give, live, share, and become a part of each other's lives. That the commitment is there to gather and carry each other in the mire and celebrate and rejoice with each other in the liberties. That hugs are given and intercepted amongst the Body.

5. Women's Ministry: that there is this element for me to be given fullness through. That it is a way to plug in for me, but also be ministered to. That I can connect with other women and be enveloped in and through them in my life.

6. Global Vision: that there is a commitment to the global world. That this element of missions is understandable and plottable. Truly, local mission is also important, but my heart is also to pursue the tangible, practical release of the "captives from prison" and Isaiah 61. Specifically and especially to Africa, Kenya.

As I continue to look ahead to find an "im"perfect church, I continue to look for the things listed above, but I also add this element: that it is a place of constant, continually, committed Christians who are compelled to be transforming followers of Jesus Christ.

~~~
P.S. If God has a sense of humor, I will end up at this church I am listening to now. Because it just so happens that the whole video/podcast is screaming Joshua 1: Be Strong and Courageous. :)