Health & Fitness
Best of...
Jesus seemed intent on turning the world upside down. What if churches did too?
I just skimmed the Kirkland Reporter's 2013 "Best of Kirkland" list, secretly hoping I'd see the "Lake Washington United Methodist Church" under some category. Of course, I was fairly confident that they probably didn't have categories like: "Best Worship Service," "Friendliest Congregation," or "Best homemade Gluten-Free Communion Bread."
I suppose I could make the argument that the church might fit under some of their existing categories: "Best Insurance," "Best Physician," "Best Child Care," or the "Best Place to Take a Date." However, it didn't make the top three in any of those either. So, I started wondering if I could make my own list, what categories would add with the hope that LWUMC might make the list? Or more to the point, given all the times Jesus said that "the last will be first," under what best of categories would I want to read "Lake Washington United Methodist Church?"
Here are a few:
- Best all-night espresso bar and prayer room.
- Best parking lot (if you're suddenly without a home).
- Best Community Block Party (stay tuned...)
- Best collaborative partnerships (Friends of Youth, Sophia Way, Camp Unity Eastside, Puget Sound Blood Center...)
- Best place to find new 12-step programs (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday...for now.)
There are other great things about LWUMC, but I'm honored to be part of a group who are striving to live by the criteria Jesus laid out for his "Best of List" (to paraphrase): “The way of the world is for the powerful to exert authority over others and boss them around. But I expect you to live by a different business model. If you want to be on the Best of List, you will put the needs of others before getting what you want. If you want to be on the Best of List, then be the best at serving others. I didn’t come for people to put me on a throne and cater to my cravings. I came to serve and sacrifice to liberate people.”
- Pastor Kelly