A Beautiful Description of the Church

Another reflection from Eugene Peterson's "The Pastor" in which he is expression his deep affection for the church he planted in suburban Maryland. It's from a larger reflection on his church's genesis and growth as they journeyed through the story of the early church in the book of Acts.

"We were acquiring a church identity as the truth that dazzles gradually. We were learning how to submit ourselves to the Spirit’s formation of congregation out of this mixed bag of humanity that was us—broken, hobbling, crippled, sexually abused and spiritually abused, emotionally unstable, passive and passive-aggressive, neurotic men and women. Chuck at fifty who has failed a dozen times and knows that he will never amount to anything. Mary who had been ignored and scorned and abused in a marriage in which she remained faithful. Phyllis living with children and a spouse deep in addictions. Lepers and blind and deaf-and-dumb sinners. Also fresh converts, excited to be in on this new life. Spirited young people, energetic and eager to be guided into a life of love and compassion, mission and evangelism. A few seasoned saints who know how to pray and listen and endure. And a considerable number of people who pretty much just showed up. I sometimes wonder why they bothered. There they are: the hot, the cold, and the lukewarm; Christians, half-Christians, almost-Christians; New Agers, angry ex-Catholics, sweet new converts. I didn’t choose them. I didn’t get to choose them."

This is a beautiful description of the church of this age - not perfect, not plastic, not shiny or cliche - but a mixed bag of broken and imperfect people submitting themselves to God's Holy Spirit and allowing Him to do something in them and among them that makes them more like Jesus day by day. It inspires me and I hope in sharing it I can inspire you too.