bringing heaven into THIS house

These thoughts, found in "Heaven is in this House" by Bobbie Houston, echo what our vision is for our church as we pastor in a small community.

3 analogies of the church

1. A Family -a brotherhood of people and nations, a celebration of life!

The church should be a magnificent, functional family full of unconditional love and acceptance.

Some in society may "sneer at what they perceive Christianity to be, but in the coming days...it will be this emerging and strengthening Church who will gladly bandage and mend the broken lives that result from living outside the safe parameters of healthy natural and spiritual family."

2. A Body -a group of persons regarded collectively

The church body has "been called to carry the very heartbeat of God the Father to a lost, lonely, often isolated and dying world.....She is not only commissioned but She is also powerfully enabled and empowered to cause this world to not only sit up and listen, but hopefully also to respond."

3. A House -a building for human habitation, a building for a special purpose, a family, a royal dynasty, a place of public refreshment

We must 'partner' with heaven - "creating and presenting an environment that God can actually work with".

"Our challenge is to present the House in such a way that it is irresistible to God and irresistible to mankind."