Church is a living message: *Christ alive from the dead; * actually present with us when we gather in His name; * personally directing the meeting and leading various people to share testimonies, gifts of the Spirit, Scriptures, prayers, etc. It’s not a mere spoken message. (Read 1 Corinthians 14:26 and/or visit The Salvation Army Berry Street Worship Center in Nashville, TN on Sunday mornings @10:45, 225 Berry St., 37207.)

Church is not about God in Heaven; it’s about God with us (Emmanuel) — “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”  Church is not calm and controlled; its unpredictable and electric!

Church doesn’t rock with the culture; it rolls with the Spirit.  It is not a culturally relevant religious gathering.  Church is not supposed to copycat contemporary culture.  Church is a challenge to live a countercultural lifestyle.  It is a colony of the Kingdom of God governed by totally different principles and values than the surrounding society.

Church is not a place to be isolated from others; but a place for spiritual intimacy, openness, and healing.

If the people who make up God’s church would begin to listen to and obey their CEO, Jesus Christ, we would see the greatest spiritual awakening in world history.  Church is not submission to a man and his agenda; it is full surrender to the living, resurrected Jesus.  It’s not a preacher teaching minds; but the Holy Spirit reaching each heart.

Church is not an occasion to impress others or to be impressed by a person’s sermon; rather, it’s an opportunity to encounter and to be impressed by the living, resurrected Jesus Christ.

Spirit-controlled church is not boring. It’s more exciting that a close NFL Playoff Game. Don’t believe me? Read the Book of Acts and see for yourself.

Church is not a stiff, formal service; it’s a family gathering.