This Is What Christian Community Is All About

This morning, our pastor did not preach.  In fact, there was no sermon, at least not one like what we all normally think of.  Instead, in all three morning services, we had singing, prayer, encouragement, and anointing with oil.  Everyone who attended was given a 3×5 card and asked to write a prayer request and to list their name if they wanted it mentioned to the church.  The stack of cards that was filled out and turned in was mind blowing.  People that you would never imagine as struggling with various life issues were right in the middle of some of life’s biggest struggles and challenges.  As the prayer requests were read, people would gather around the ones who were named and pray for them.  People cried together.  They laughed together.  They loved each other.  Our entire morning was devoted to discovering needs, praying for and meeting needs.

What took place this morning at Eastpoint is a great example of the church doing what it is called to do:  stripping away the masks, finding out what is really going on in people’s lives and discovering how to help those in need.  This is what Christian community is all about.

~ by Steve on September 28, 2008.