ALWAYS

I love church. I love our church. At KFA we have stolen a phrase from comedian Tim Hawkins, after he was with us last year -- 'The church is now leaving the building.'

It's a great phrase. I know the term 'church' can also be appropriately used for the gathering point - the place - the building where people meet each week for instruction, connection, worship, equipping. Sure. I get that. And actually, that definition is also correct.

I am not asking that we forget that purpose of the church. We have taught at KFA that we have five purposes. Four of them are: Passionate Worship, Enthusiastic Service, Personal Growth and Authentic Community. You can find these, along with our mission and values at www.kenoshafirst.com.

But there is a 5th purpose -- Offering Hope. If the other four purposes are the main identity of the church - what we primarily absorb our time with - then we've missed the point because of the stated mission of Jesus - 'to seek and save those who are lost.'

It's pretty simple - if it was HIS mission, it has to be OURS. And when a church forgets her identity - or she becomes an end in herself - and the pioneer spirit is quenched - then WE ultimately become the lost ones.

We must never lose the mission -- seeking to live out our truest passion and purpose to reach a dying world for Jesus. Once pioneers become settlers, the end is near. The church must always - always - always - always - be a means to something greater than itself.

And be blessed.