Challenging Normal

As I have gotten older and have returned to Helen, things are not exactly how I remember them. The buildings are more run down, businesses have closed. The once booming alpine village is not what it used to be. They still have tourism and a lot of visitors but not like it used to be, not what it could be. Years ago, Helen passed a city ordinance that all buildings had to be built to their Alpine stipulations. It wasn't until the last couple of years that they have loosened up their requirements for buildings.

One of the sad things is they are now known for having the longest(not largest) Oktoberfest in the world. Before you jump to conclusions and think I am saying the church needs to lower it's standards, I am saying we can become a little more accepting. You can accept people and love them without lowering your standards.

The church was birthed to be the vehicle of the gospel and too many times we have made it into a "perfect place" and if you are not perfect you are not welcomed. Instead of the Bride of Christ it has become the judge of the world. It is not our place to judge or change people. That is what Jesus does. It is no wonder that a lot of churches are beginning to show their wear and tear. And just like Helen, they have to stretch out gimmicks and games to attract people.

The Gospel never changes. Jesus never changes but our methods have to. As long as we are running it through the standards of the Word of God we will not compromise who He is. Too many time we are too worried about compromising who we are. Church has become more about us and what we want than Him and what He wants. God always wants us to go after the lost.