Tuesday Talk: A Church Called Mystery

Welcome back for another week of Tuesday Talk We are are so glad you joined us. We hope that you'll grab the button, link up and mingle around.

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Mystery
6 years ago on an Easter Sunday we walked into a church. A church that was located in the middle of downtown Joplin. A church that had a weird name. A church that would soon become our family and be a huge part of our life for the next 6 years.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that God brought us to Mystery for a purpose.
To learn and grow, share, serve, love, live life with and ultimately to come to a greater knowledge of exactly what The Gospel truly is.
Words can not even begin to express how much the people who made up the church mean to me and my family.
This Sunday was our last service as a church. We met for one last time to  live, love and enjoy before our church closed. Knowing I wanted pictures, (lots of them) I took my camera and today I wanted to share a few of those with you.

Mystery, you were beautiful. You were truly the hands and feet and I will forever be thankful that we got to be a part of you.

"The Lord your God is with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9
Now join in with me and my amazing co-hosts and link up what's going on in your corner of the blogging world. Becky from BYBMG, Beth from Our Pretty Little Girls, Chelsea from The Contented Wife, Elizabeth from All Kinds of Things, Tara from Mrs.Coach Sims, Keri from Living In This Season, Sarah from Abiding In Grace, Lauren fromSimply Free , Andrea from Mitchael Journey, Jessica & Katie from Sweet Little Ones, Mandy from Almond Place, Teressa from Teressa Jane

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Tuesday Talk: 5 Things To Look For In A Church.

Welcome to another week of Tuesday Talk. 

We are so glad you joined us. We hope that you will join the fun by linking up and making some connections. 

This week I wanted to share something that has been weighing pretty heavy on my mind lately. As some of you may already know, we recently found out that our church is closing. Next Sunday will be the last service in a church that we have called home for the past 6 years. The thought of "church shopping" can seem exhausting and intimidating. But we know that we will soon find a new church to call home.

Being part of a church is so much more than just attending service once a week. 

It is finding a family to be a part of, grow with, and serve.

Today I wanted to share a list of a few things that we will be looking for in our new church with hopes that this list will also help others.

1. A church that preaches The Gospel, in it's entirety.

Simply said if your church isn't opening the bible every week and reading from the scriptures you should probably be worried. Finding a church that really preaches The Bible can sometimes be harder than you think. Scriptures should be from The Bible and carefully examined. Not added too, twisted, or come in bits and pieces that are removed from context. I want a church with sound doctrine, teaching that lines up with Gods word.

2. A church that serves others.
The Bible teaches us to love and serve others. To care for them above the way we care for ourselves. The church should be embracing this and living on mission as a congregation for the greater good of the community around them.
3. A church that challenges you to grow.
Christianity isn't supposed to be comfortable. The times I have grown the most in Christ are the times that I have walked through the hardest obstacles, both physical and mental. A good church confronts sin, is abundant in grace, gives you opportunities to grow in Christ and calls you to action to do the same for other.
4. A church that loves kids.
Children are  a blessing, never an inconvenience. The church should embrace this attitude and see the children as one of their best opportunities to share the message of salvation on a weekly basis.
5. A church that lives out true community.
As I have heard many, many times. Christianity is a terrible hobby.
Church should be more than an a weekly activity. The Bible calls us to make disciples, it is hard to do that in one hour a week. Opportunities to know others and be known help with accountability and growth.
I feel like there is so much more I could add to this list. But for now I will end with the one thing that my pastor has been repeating over and over again that has been so good for me to be constantly reminded of.

The church exists to bring God glory, nothing else.  It always has & always will be about Jesus. 

What would you add to this list?

Now it's your turn. Grab the button and link up!

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