Spirited

There is a French saying that the last thing a fish discovers is water! It is similar with trust. We breathe it , think it, rely on it - but may not be conscious of it. It is so essential for communities, relationships and societies.

I came across this quote recently:

Is worship the most important thing our congregations do? I would say no at this point. Maybe that view will some day change, but the importance of congregations is bringing people together in relationship. Worship can be a mechanism of that function, and it is a fundamental element to the community. The greek terms for church life seem applicable, church is about leitourgia (worship), but also diakonia(service), koinonia(community), kerygma(proclamation), and didache(teaching). All of them are fundamental and none supercede the others.

We will call her Julie. Julie was 15 and went to the local School. She did not come from a church family. However through some friends Julie came to an Easter camp run by their church. Julie really enjoyed the community at the camp and the main sessions were started by singing and worship that was awesome and was followed by a speaker who was charismatic, funny and clearly spoke about so many of the issues she was facing. He was helpful and relevant and opened up the offer that God generously loves us, forgives us and sees us as important.