Monday, December 5, 2011

Like I Thought

How many things actually live up to the promotion or behave as advertised?  When my kids get their Christmas presents, will they be thrilled as the commercial said that they would? (That is if we actually give them presents besides coal, but that is another story.)  I do not like to be disappointed by a product that does not live up to my expectations but sometimes am.  No matter how much I research and shop and attempt to evaluate all of the variables, I still am let down by a under performing item.  Let's hope that my shopping for a smart phone today does not lead me to this possibility.

Yesterday at my church, Sunday, the people lived up to expectations and were just as I thought they would be.  As the worship time concluded and people began leaving the room, there were few that immediately left the building.  One couple that left early told me beforehand that the wife had to get to work before noon.  Almost everyone else stayed to have coffee and cookies and converse with each other.  It was as if they even LIKED the other people that they worshiped with that morning.  The entry way at church was filled with an increased volume level with people laughing, joking, talking, and even crying with each other.  It was this way for more than 45 minutes after the close of the worship service.

Of the many things that drew me to Celebration, the people were a huge part of it.  I am used to being around fun, loving, genuine people that actually care for each other.  When I was interviewing at other churches I wondered and even was anxious to find a church that would be like that.  During my interview in Muskegon I found the kind of people that I was looking for.  However, I did wonder whether this was only a facade for the interview.  Sunday morning removed any doubt.

It is a wonderful thing to have things be just as I thought they would be, when people are authentic.  Are the people perfect?  I hope not!  I have not found a perfect church yet and am guaranteed to never find one simply because of who I am.  But I am drawn to the people!  A person may come to church for the pastor but they stay for the people.  I am glad that the people at Celebration are just like I thought!

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