I’ve been noticing the division that exists among churches in the same city and thus wanted to write an honest blog that shares some things God has shared with me to do.  Plus, the most common reactions I have while trying to do what God said.

Three Ways to Love the Church in Your City as Much as Jesus Does

  1. Believe, affirm, and talk about what other good churches do in your city with as much joy as you talk about your church.
  2. Pray this prayer for three good churches in your city (other than yours), “God bless “Such and Such Church” more than you bless us!”
  3. Post, share, and affirm other pastor’s preaching/teaching/blogs/devos (other than your church’s) in your city on social media.

Three things I’ve noticed about myself while trying to do the above things:

  1. Its easier from me to support a ministry that’s not in my city than one that’s in Chicago. For example, “Oh how I love what God is doing in Seoul Korea!”
  2. When I celebrate other church’s success in my city it is usually followed with a disclaimer, “Ya, ‘Such and Such Church’ in Chicago is awesome- but MPI is really, really awesome- we’re like the best of the best!”
  3. I can always notice when other church members (whether in person or on social media) have the “my-church-is-the-best-church-in-the-whole-world-syndrome” but hardly ever notice it in my church’s attitude.

Let’s all humble ourselves and really celebrate what God is doing in our cities! Are you willing to join with me? 

John 17:20-21,

20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.