May I be forgiven for a bit of bragging about the First Baptist Church of Dawson, GA? I hope so, because I feel like bragging on this church today and I don't do so nearly enough.
Last night we had our monthly church conference (business meeting). Now, I don't suppose that anybody gets just absolutely excited at the thought of a business meeting, but they're important and they're part of the life of the church. I've marveled for over eight years now at how harmonious and peaceful the business meetings of this church are. Oh, sure, there may be occasional discussions on this or that in which opposing viewpoints are offered, but there's always an air of respect, kindness, and, oddly enough, easy laughter in our meetings...and that's nothing to sneeze at!
Well last night I was sitting there and I was just kind of overwhelmed at how the committee reports were turning into a series of testimonies for what the Lord is doing in this church through the lives of the members. For instance: Amy shared about the number of youth who are attending and going through the study on the Holy Spirit as well as about a teenage girl she led to the Lord (and who we recently baptized) over text message! She also shared plans to further involve the youth in the life of the nursing home here in town. And Harold encouraged us to give to the children's home outside of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, so that they can fill the casita that our church built down there with kids who need a safe home. And Gail shared joyfully about the 95 women who attended missions training at a local WMU event. And Johnny thanked the guys who helped get the playground up to speed. And Jennifer talked about what the study on the Holy Spirit is meaning for her life. And Horace talked about the senior adult trip to Tennessee coming up as well as the senior adult study on the Holy Spirit. And Ashley shared with the church about all that God is doing and the need for us to be careful against spiritual attacks from the devil. And on and on it went.
And it was absolutely beautiful.
Indeed, the church being and becoming the body of Christ is a beautiful thing to see!
My feelings were confirmed when a lady who has visited for a long time came by me on her way out and shared with me her amazement at this business meeting. She said she thought to herself, "These people worship even in their business meetings!"
It was, quite possibly, the coolest thing I've ever heard and I've never been prouder. There truly is no wasted space in the kingdom of God. The big things and the small things, the exciting things and the mundane things, the worship services and the business meetings...they all form a great and grand tapestry of praise if baptized in wonder at the goodness of our great God!