Why the Pride Festival is What Church Should Be Like...

I've been thinking a lot about what church -- "The Church" -- should be like...this might seem a simple, easy to answer question,  but to me, it's not.  Here's why.  It's far too easy to go negative with this subject...it's easier to say, "Church shouldn't be..." rather than "Church is..."

Many of us have felt burned, betrayed or hurt by The Church.  Some of us have felt unwelcome. And I know in my heart of hearts when that happens it is not church.  I believe that is not how God intended Church to be.

My friend, Nancy, and I went to the Pride Festival in Minneapolis yesterday.  We took our dogs and my baby.  It was the highlight of my weekend. We went from booth to booth chatting with different folks...we watched part of the big parade...one group that walked the parade came by and as they passed were singing a song about peace.  Here's what I love about my friend Nancy...as I was trying to hold back tears in my eyes...and shake off the goosebumps that had covered my skin; she turned to me and said, "I love this.  I'm going to cry."  Nancy is a good friend but even more so she is a good person, with a beautiful soul.  She created an opportunity for me to say, "Me too."

This experience triggered one big thought in my mind...THIS IS WHAT THE CHURCH SHOULD BE LIKE.  And as I sat in my own church last night (which, for the record, I really do like and do feel welcome at), my mind drifted and a mental note was created.  And here's that note:

5 REASONS WHY THE PRIDE FESTIVAL IS WHAT CHURCH SHOULD BE LIKE:


5.) I didn't feel judged once.  And I don't think anyone else did either.  Wear what you want.  Love who you want.  And be who you were born to be.  Simple enough idea...One I wish I felt every church embraced.  One I truly believe Jesus embraced fully, which is what makes me wonder why so many churches and Christians have deviated so far from it?  Jesus loved.  He embraced.  He challenged...but I don't think he ever judged.

4.) Everyone welcomed me. As we walked booth to booth....people were welcoming and inviting. They were excited about their group/place/club/etc. Most of the places aren't my style...I'm not nearly as hip as I pretend to be -- true story -- but it felt so WARM...yes warm...to be invited in.  To be welcomed.

3.) SMILES.  So many smiles.  It's sad, but I remember going to church growing up and walking in and seeing so few smiles.  Why is no one smiling?  It's supposed to be the most joyful place?  When did the joy stop happening?  But yesterday, there were only smiles...Minus the moment the band came by and my poor golden retriever nearly had a panic attack. ;)

2.) I felt at home.  I felt happy and I felt peaceful.  It took me a long time to get to this point with a church.  Sadly, I spent 25+ years of my life feeling anxiety-ridden when I entered church. Worrying that no one would ask me to sit with them...or that I wasn't dressed properly.  I'm so happy to say my church now is the opposite of that, I feel so peaceful and loved when I go there.  I wish everyone could feel that way.  I think everyone felt that way at Pride Fest, and that's something to be proud of.  (Did you like that play on words?)

1.) Hugs.  Everybody was hugging! Say what you will, but something deep within me tells me that Jesus was a hugger.  How could he not be?  I picture Jesus and Simon Peter getting out of the boat and splashing each other...then when the water fight was over, I big bro-hug.  I mean -- he's Jesus -- the epitome of love, you can't tell me he didn't hug people! I don't think there's near enough hugging at church...somewhere a social boundary went up and we began to keep our distance.  A little smirk and a nod...maybe a handshake...became enough.  I say...it's not enough...let's hug more, people!  The picture below has been circulating for awhile now...and I tear up every time I see it.  This apology.  This forgiveness.  This embrace.  This is Kingdom-Worthy stuff people.  THIS IS CHURCH.  AMEN.

[for more on this picture, check out this blog]