Something funny happened in church last week....

Something funny happened in church last week.

There I was, sitting quietly and enjoying the "bring your parent" closing of the VBS programme. The kids were shouting and stomping their war-cries as each team tried to out-shout the other. The parents were grinning and trying to spot which team their kid was on. Smiley the clown was cheering with one half and Rocky the Skate-Dude cheering with the other. All this in the sanctuary - the same place the service takes place in a few days later. (There's a number of churches who wouldn't tolerate that!)

But then, this is one of the most unchurchy churches I've attended. Turn up any day of the week, most times of the day or evening, and you'll find half the youth hanging out, skateboarding down the aisles perhaps, or having a jam session on stage, or relaxing in The Works lounge - just hanging at a place they feel comfortable in and where they belong. You'll find others meeting up for a chat, or a planning session, or prayer. (You might even find me working on my car. Oh wait, that's done and finished.. :) ). When two young girls lost their mother to cancer, the first place they went was the church, where their friends surrounded them with love, sat as they cried, helped them laugh and process their loss. Every year the youth plan and present the kid's VBS. They lead in worship and Sunday School. They pray from the stage, "Shot Lord for a kiff day, we're stoked You love us." They've got an extended family in the rest of the congregation. Amazing.

And suddenly I realized I belonged. That I loved this group of incredible people and that was where I wanted to be. So it's a church, an institution. So what. Yeah, there's stuff that could be better, and I don't always fit in because I see things differently. But I belong. I'm missed when I'm not there and embraced when I am. Good, long, deep embraces that warm my soul.

Strange thing to have happen in a church, on a sunny weekday morning, surrounded by a hundred noisy kids.