What is the Church supposed to look like?

Missional, kingdom, traditional, relevant, expositional, apostalic? 

Yes.

No. 

All of the above. 

None of the above?

Is it supposed to look like Christ or like Christ in us?

The truth is it’s supposed to look real and authentic and imperfect and reflect the personality of the people who make it up as they journey the God path.  Paul said, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”  I don’t think he meant us to do the same things he did and mimic his moves.  I think he meant to passionately follow God with abandon and sacrifice.  For all of us, that pursuit will look different.

Our journeys will parallel and overlap, but they will not always look the same.  And neither will the churches’.

I went through the phase in seminary of judging other churches about not being Bible-centered enough.  Then I went through the phase of churches of not being practical enough.  After a while, I was looking at churches and wondering why that can’t be more edgy and emergent.  I think, as the church, we are guilty of flowing with the culture.  I apologize.

I don’t know if it’s my age or just where I am in my journey, but I just want a place where we can be real and genuinely follow Christ where ever and however He leads.  Not copying other churches, but learning from them.  Not landing in a particular camp, but embracing our cumulative community make up.  Not chiseling into stone our style, but changing as Christ changes us.

And if we are known for anything, let it be that we love; in the truest sense of the word; with a Christ like love that speaks truth, showers grace, welcomes all and gives generously.