keep the minutes

The sooner we give up the illusion that a church must be perfect to love it, the sooner we quit pretending and admit we’re all imperfect and need grace. This is the beginning of real community. Rick Warren

Every church could put out a sign “No perfect people need to apply. This is a place only for those who admit they are sinners, need grace, and want to grow.” Bonhoeffer said, “He who loves his dream of community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter. . . . If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even when there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty; if on the contrary, we keep complaining that everything is paltry and petty, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow.”

There are many people in your community who are looking for love and a place to belong. The truth is, everyone needs and wants to be loved, and when people find a church where members genuinely love and care for each other, you would have to lock the doors to keep them away.

The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?

I've been keeping the minutes for years, going to different conferences, and attending different meetings. And at times, I felt so intimated by higher rank leaders thinking I was so young to be with them. These past few weeks we had a lot of meetings and I met different kinds of people who really love the Lord. All of them have one goal to protect the church, to grow in faith, and to bring more people closer to Christ. I admire them because they are really dedicated, they would spend a long time to think possible solutions to head aching problems though at times disagreements and conflicts would arise yet they still find a way to manage their own emotions and ego.

I remember I always complained to our pastor whenever he assigned a certain task, like why would I do that. And of course, he would really discipline and train my young mind. Now it makes sense and I'm glad he did it, though it's really painful to be corrected, indeed there's no growth in comfort.

Growing up in a church community is a blessing, so if your parents always invite you or your friends, go with them.

There's no perfect church, perfect community, and perfect person. Just like what Pastor Rick Warren said, "you must love real people, not the perfect ones." We all need the grace to grow, we need others to learn, and a community to belong to. And that's where growth starts, we are surrounded by different people that would also help us to purify our character and our faith walk. So it's really necessary to choose your circle. Spend time with people who desire success in all aspects of your life, people who won't hesitate to correct you upfront and rebuke all your wrongdoings. I once heard this, "Come as you are but don't stay as you are."

Keeping the minutes means keeping the hard work of our dear leaders, mentors, and pastors who really dedicate their life to serving others even if behind the curtain. It's keeping their wisdom and knowledge in life. It's keeping their love for Christ. It's keeping their sweat and tears even if no one appreciates their hard work at times. I am favored to see all their hard work, frustrations, discouragements, prayers, faith, and love for the church without spotlight and applause.

I hope if you're reading this, find a community that will help you grow as a person pray for it and be part of it. I hope you found one and you find good mentors and leaders. Surely, you need them, you need a place to belong and to grow. Take heart! Rooting for you sissy!

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their hard work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-14


Published by Merrel Ya

A lady who has been pondering her hope into Christ, inhaling His grace, and enjoying the beauty of life. Writing about life, asking God about "kuliglig sa kanyang dibdib."

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