A Life-Saving Station
The local church. To what can it be compared?
For some, the church is a hospital, a place where they find hope and healing, and where the burdens they carry are made a little lighter.
For others, it is an educational center, where minds are stimulated, faith is nurtured, and children learn the basics of religion.
For still others, the church is a cruise ship, where they enjoy all the wonderful amenities — never mind the fact that they might be sailing in circles.
And for some, the church is a concert hall. Or a cultural center. Or a volunteer clearinghouse. Or even a dating service.
Me? I tend to think the first and highest purpose of the church is to serve as a life-saving station.
Positioned along treacherous stretches of coastline, these stations keep a vigilant watch over dangerous waters. Always ready. Always staffed. Always on the lookout. Their purpose is not to make those inside comfortable, but to send people into the storm to rescue those in danger of being lost.
They risk their own comfort and safety for the sake of someone else’s life.
Which vision of the church do you find most compelling? More importantly, which vision do you think Jesus was willing to give up his life for?
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
1 John 3:16
— Pastor Pete
For some, the church is a hospital, a place where they find hope and healing, and where the burdens they carry are made a little lighter.
For others, it is an educational center, where minds are stimulated, faith is nurtured, and children learn the basics of religion.
For still others, the church is a cruise ship, where they enjoy all the wonderful amenities — never mind the fact that they might be sailing in circles.
And for some, the church is a concert hall. Or a cultural center. Or a volunteer clearinghouse. Or even a dating service.
Me? I tend to think the first and highest purpose of the church is to serve as a life-saving station.
Positioned along treacherous stretches of coastline, these stations keep a vigilant watch over dangerous waters. Always ready. Always staffed. Always on the lookout. Their purpose is not to make those inside comfortable, but to send people into the storm to rescue those in danger of being lost.
They risk their own comfort and safety for the sake of someone else’s life.
Which vision of the church do you find most compelling? More importantly, which vision do you think Jesus was willing to give up his life for?
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
1 John 3:16
— Pastor Pete