Couch Covers
I do not understand plastic couch covers! My apologizes if you use them, it’s never my intention to offend. I suppose they help your couch last longer, which will likely save you money overtime, but isn’t comfort the whole point of a couch? A worn-out couch usually means that a family has enjoyed watching TV, playing board games, and being together. I know plenty of parents and grandparents that would do anything for a worn-out couch. If the value of being frugal outweighs functionality and usefulness, then we’re woefully misguided. Believe it or not, I’ve heard, “Pastor, we shouldn’t be using the Church equipment so much because then we will have to replace it sooner.” While coming from a well-intended place, I politely shared my goal to wear-out every inch of this Church.
One of my favorite leadership quotes originated from Peter Drucker, “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Living together in a loving community that grows and thrives requires putting in a ton of effort from everyone involved. Unfortunately though, all the time in the world and the best strategy ever concocted does not guarantee success. Culture is the difference maker. Some people never think twice about the silliness of putting on a plastic couch cover. They don’t think twice because it has become a part of their culture. Similar behaviors exist everywhere in the Church. A locked door is clearly unwelcoming, having no name tags is unwelcoming, denying someone’s identity or calling it sinful, is clearly unwelcoming. These individually small behaviors and mentalities accumulate into an unwelcoming culture overtime. My grandmother was the sweetest person on earth, I just never felt comfortable on her couch.
Culture is so difficult to create because it can sometimes take years to cultivate a generous and welcoming environment. Even one hurtful behavior, or one toxic mentality can ripple through a community. It can take months, sometimes years, for someone to decide they trust a worship community enough to officially join them. Often, all it takes is one passive aggressive comment to never see those newcomers again. As a church, not only must we have love understood, we must have it mastered. If you’re wondering what that means, that’s why Jesus taught us how to love before heading to the Cross.
Loving like Christ is a tall order, I know. Make no mistake, I say and do things that I regret all the time. We all make mistakes. The tricky part comes from not being able identify when we’re being hurtful or unwelcoming. I’m more interested in our willingness to seek forgiveness once the mistake has been realized. So, what is a Christian culture? We give everyone the benefit of the doubt. We are quick to seek and extend forgiveness. Hospitality comes natural. Generosity is our way of life. Love is our message. Christ is our saving grace when we inevitably mess up.
Within a Christ-centered culture, there are no couch covers. In our community, we are pulling up a footrest, pouring a drink, and fixing a meal. If a guest spills and makes a mess on our couch, then we reply “I needed a new one anyway.” Heck… I may even spill on the couch myself and consider it apart of the decor. Nothing about faith is neat and tidy. A messy church is a used church. We’re not here to fix anyone, or to set anyone straight. We are here to say, “we’re sinners too, come join us!”
Making a mess,
Pr. Lucas McSurley
