The passion of the Pentecostals and Charismatics....
It reminds me of the fact that God isn't just after my brain but my soul. Jesus said true worshipers worship in truth but also in spirit. (Jn4 )
The compassion of the Catholics...
I am totally inspired by the selfless live of those such as Mother Theresa, Saint Francis, and others. They remind me that having a heat like God's wil give me a love for the hurting.
The conviction of the reformed...
I love the fervent passion that these guys have for the truth. The doctrine from the reformed church is very thought out. They inspire me to know why I believe what I believe and that the truth of God's word is beyond our ability to exhaust.
The community of the house church Amish-ish type movements...
I love to see the deep sense of love and community that these folks have for one another. There is a total dedication to help one another out and hold each other accountable as they travel life together.
The cultural sensitivity of the post-modern movement....
While most of these churches tend towards liberalism. I am totally in agreement that Jesus didn't come to change each culture (including our own) into some cookie cutter version of the church. I love the thought that churches should be a reflection of the culture that you live in (i.e. music style, decoration, building structure, and the way you dress) while not compromising the truth of God's word. It reminds me that I am a missionary and not a mercenary.
The purpose of the evangelical movement...
God chooses and uses all those who will say "here am I, Lord, send me!" It reminds me that my life automatically serves a purpose and that purpose is to reach the unreconciled. 2 Cor 5
The christocentricity of the Calvary movement...
They inspire me through the verse-by-verse study of God's word that Christ is the message of the bible from cover to cover. I am challenged to remember that if I can preach the message I have in a Buddhist temple or a synagogue that it is not a "christian" message and not good news.
The simplicity of the Applegate Fellowship family...
I love how keeping things simple has been guarded by our church family. Through strong leadership we have all stuck to simply teaching the bible simply. I have seen the radical and continual transforming power of keeping the main thing the main thing.
And, while I have not exhausted the list of all the things I have learned from the body of Christ, I sit here, even now, amazed at the working of God through the different giftings and callings that He has placed in each of our lives. So, I rejoice in knowing that I have a place that is prepared for me here and now. I have a spot in the plan of God. I am free to be who God has created me to be and as I grow in that freedom God is glorified in who He created me to be. In an effort to encourage the we often make the mistake of trying to get others to do what we are called to do. We can even look at the other parts of the body of Christ and begin to be critical because they specialize in one particular area or giftingand are not like us. While this doesn't mean that you don't deal with issues, it does mean that we should not be so quick to see the world through the lenses of our own glasses. At the end we will all stand before the same Lord, saved by the same cross, on the same crystal shore, with each of us throwing the crowns we earned at the feet of Jesus. Why? Maybe because while we were all busy fighting with each other here, by His grace, we managed to get some work done. And when we see us the way He sees us we will realize that our diversity was His idea. What do you think?
