The Local Church

I love my church.
I love the local church.
I love that God has given us the local church.
It is the dearest place on earth.

The annual church campout was held this past weekend. It is such a sweet time to share downtime with brothers and sisters in Jesus, and to enjoy each other's company while playing and worshipping. It is so hard to leave every year, but what a good thing that is. 

"...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love." Ephesians 4:15-16 (NASB).

Our pastor shared a quote by the Charles Spurgeon this past Sunday for our last day of campout about  the local church. An amazing word that needs to be shared:

"Give yourself to the Church. You that are members of the Church have not found it perfect and I hope that you feel almost glad that you have not. If I had never joined a Church till I had found one that was perfect, I would never have joined one at all! And the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect Church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us… All who have first given themselves to the Lord, should, as speedily as possible, also give themselves to the Lord’s people. How else is there to be a Church on the earth? If it is right for anyone to refrain from membership in the Church, it is right for everyone, and then the testimony for God would be lost to the world!

As I have already said, the Church is faulty, but that is no excuse for your not joining it, if you are the Lord’s. Nor need your own faults keep you back, for the Church is not an institution for perfect people, but a sanctuary for sinners saved by Grace, who, though they are saved, are still sinners and need all the help they can derive from the sympathy and guidance of their fellow Believers. The Church is the nursery for God’s weak children where they are nourished and grow strong. It is the fold for Christ’s sheep—the home for Christ’s family." 

Campout was beautiful. Just a quaint, quiet country neighborhood, full of loud, joyful Christians playing frisbee and volleyball, galore of kids screaming and running, songs of worship and bursts of laughter, and the presence of Jesus' sweet spirit in our midst.

The Log.

And of course, every church campout will not be complete without its annual men's log throw. This year changed the course of history as Ryan Finlay's three year streak was defeated by Justin Best's most glorious throw. 

Justin Best: 2013 Log Throw Winner

    

     

It was a perfect weekend, and I can't wait to continue sharing life with every single one of these people. The people of The Gathering Community Church. The people who love Jesus with a passion, and who desire to celebrate and display the beauty and glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am blessed beyond all things. God is good.