24 hours later

Our last Sunday service was one I will never forget. All of my closest friends, coworkers and family were all in one place to worship God and to say good bye to almost a decade of living, breathing and working in ministry together. I'm often uncomfortable when people give me compliments, and today was no different. When the congregation stood to salute and applaud us for our efforts over the years - I became a sobbing reflection of gratitude and affection. I love these people so. I no longer felt embarrassed by their statements - I was proud to know God had worked in their lives through our small human efforts.

There are some that will be happy that we won't be there next week to hold services. They look at what we were intended to be and complain about segregation and age division. But this perspective comes from those who never even darkened our door to see what it was all about. We are a kind of family that they will never experience as long as they continue to look at fellow christians with an us or them attitude. It's impossible to help others understand something like Gen-Next if they don't have a heart to look past things like age, gender, social status and many of the other notions that confuse the real picture. It was a place where we all could share our thoughts, hopes, dreams and desires to live godly lives. More than any other place I've been, the people there accepted everyone as they were. However, we wouldn't tolerate the tearing down of each other. Each person's life was and continues to be precious and loved by God. We honestly watched each other's backs. What a precious gift this has been. We even earned the label of being considered the "Emergent Church", by a divisional representative that attended the service. Too bad they started to understand what we were, only to close us down.

We all entered that place wanting to find a place to belong and to help out, and we emerge from that church basement a loving, God-chasing family.

No matter where we find ourselves - we will emerge into the world. We will challenge those that see people as either "church folk" or "dammed-to-hell-sinners". We will love everyone the same. We won't count how many times our coworkers cuss or complain about how much time they get for smoke breaks. We will be standing out in the cold air with them while listening to their struggles and trying to be the best friends we can. Loving others in Christ's name - that was our goal and I think we achieved it. We will continue reach out in love, even though there will be those that can't see why.

Emerge into the world with the love of Christ - begin to see how much could change if we did that every day. Love our families, coworkers, and yes even our enemies. They can't see it because they are sitting in a cold dark room with no light. There are those that a blinded by the brightness of acceptance and love. They need to be reconditioned to see things in the light of day. Night vision leads to isolation and seclusion. You can really miss things when you stumble around in the dark.

Come out into the light. You were one children of darkenss...but you have been called out .... you are now children of the light. Let your light shine.