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Church is a place that matters

Posted on by DeMoss
A place in the race at Brightmoore Aldersgate
A church is where God's people run the race together. These Brightmoor Aldersgate young people enjoy the Family Reunion and Fun Day three years ago. ~ Facebook/Brightmoor Aldersgate

Audrey Mangum, active at Brightmoor Aldersgate UMC, describes her experience in that place …”things we hold in our hearts wherever we go.”

AUDREY MANGUM
Brightmoor Alderstage UMC

Audrey Mangum describe her church as a place she lovesRecently, students in one of my seminary classes discussed the effects of the coronavirus on local churches. One student chided all church members, saying that we should remember that the Church is not enclosed within four walls. I agreed with her, but then began to think about the place called “church.”

My local church is the place where mothers can cry in the arms of a 90-year-old, and where a 90-year-old gives lots of love and knowing comfort. It is where young people can experience the presence and power of God as the congregation is moved to tears by their dancing. It is where three-year-old returns to the sanctuary from the nursery, excitedly running down the center aisle to take Holy Communion, oblivious to all the shhh-shhh-shhh as she calls out the pastor’s name. It is where children come up for Holy Communion and are told, as the adults listen, too, “This bread and drink is for you because Jesus loves you so much and wants you to have a wonderful life!”

My local church is where spouses cry over near break-ups, and over new beginnings. It is where addicts find support groups and determine to live one day at a time. It is where a covered dish embodies the love of a grandmother who thinks that she has nothing to offer. It is where another 90-year-old can pray and preach at the drop of a hat, and whose vigor and fashionable polish rivals that of someone half her age.

A place where kids are welcome
~ photo courtesy Audrey Mangum

My local church is where mothers find relief in “aunties and uncles,” and aunties and uncles with nurture to spare, along with other church members, help raise their children in the way that they should go. My local church is where the pastor declares in every benediction: “In the end, love wins!” It is where members connect in mission with others in the community, the district, the conference and around the world. It is where babies are baptized, weddings are performed, and beloved members are laid to rest. It is where God smiles, Jesus saves, and the Holy Spirit enlivens.

And so, I understand why we are so attached to our church buildings. It is where so many memories are made and strides (and setbacks) in life are marked. These things we hold in our hearts and take wherever we go.

The church building is just the marker, the place that reminds us of all that we hold within.

Last Updated on September 20, 2022

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The Michigan Conference