Since GLC turns one year old this Sunday, I've decided to blog more than usual this week and write about the challenges we've had in creating a church for people who don't go to church.   Nope, this stuff isn't meant to be negative.

Challenge #1: Church People

It takes a mature person to say, "I'm willing to give up my preferences for the sake of the mission."   On day one, we had a handful of "church people" (those who've attended church for most of their life and call themselves Christians) who we're willing to say this.  Today, we have hundreds.  Motivating "church people" is one of the hardest things in the world.  Every week I see a handful of people who just don't get it.  They still think the church exists for their viewing pleasure.  The great news is that this is such a small group of people that their attitude isn't affecting the rest of the church!

Today I want to thank those of you who've sacrificed your preferences by doing some or all of the following:

*Volunteering on a ministry team
*Sitting in the video venue on a regular basis, to make more seats available in our "live" auditorium for guests
*Stretching yourself in the area of giving and generosity
*Started attending the 9 am service, so that we could make more room at 10:30 am... when more people attend
*Opened your home for a Growth Group to meet in
*Continually giving up your music style preferences or other likes you have by attending GLC, because you want to be a part of a church whose mission is simply to help people find and follow Jesus Christ.

I realize that it would be much easier for "church people" to join a church where they aren't asked or expected to do anything.  That kind of culture creates mean, selfish, cynical, judgmental, self-righteous, and entitled people.   The irony of serving is that it always brings more fulfillment and happiness to the one serving than the one being served.

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others..."  Matthew 20:28