By Steve

CAN WE DO ANY BETTER?

The other day I saw several of these little cars cruising the streets around the corner from where I live. The people were laughing and having fun as they maneuvered their grown-up big wheels...it made me feel good to see people enjoying themselves.

Inevitably, I began processing the scene from the eyes of my pastorhood, sorry, I can't help it.

Has the church offered more to our world than a cheap and entertaining way to navigate life? These cars look fun, but the excitement must wane within minutes. Probably not something I would do more than once. Although they do move people, they are slow, small and a general nuisance to others on the road. They are out of place. They do get attention from outsiders, but usually wisecracks and smirks (data collected and observed personally).

If you know me at all, these sort of parallels often associated with the church, are completely unacceptable. The church must (and is in many ways around the world) offer more than a cheap and fun way to get through life. We must not attempt just to move people from "here" to "there." We must no longer be a nuisance to others. The church must be helpful...meaningful. If it is not, then it is out of place. Or more, it has no place and deserves the ridicule it often receives.

One of the strongest driving forces in life for me is to see the churches existence become meaninful for those who consider it worthless. If it does not, it may not last much longer than these little cars.

Disclaimer:
I think the go car is a brilliant idea and wish it nothing but success. As for the church, I am thrilled to hear everyday about people who feel as I do and are working hard to do something about it. I have never been more encouraged about the future of God's people, the church.