by Allan McGregor

Created on: May 02, 2009

The difference is so stark that is as if there were two Christian churches. One is religious the other alive. One is as dry as dust, the other vibrant and refreshing. One is a place of condemnation and fear, the other of freedom forgiveness. Nor is always obvious which is which, because it's not about outward appearance. I have encountered both churches, and have been surprised to find the living church among the old and ornate, with their liturgies and candles, whilst I have felt an absence of life in some very loud meetings with plenty of loud music and vigorous activity. The secret to a good church is not whether the service is quiet or loud, or whether it's in English or Latin. God knows Latin as well as English and can whisper as well as shout. The difference is in whether God is considered the Host or merely the Guest of Honour.

When the Lord is our Guest, man sets the agenda and God is merely a polite onlooker. But when he is allowed to be Host, he is freed to show men what he is capable of, and when the church lets the Holy Spirit out of the box of religion, then God is allowed to be God and things begin to happen. Catholic, Protestant; Baptist, Evangelical; Pentecostal, Charismatic: No matter. God is not impressed by labels, only hungry hearts. If we wear our labels lightly and focus our attention and passion on knowing him, the rewards are lavishly disproportionate to our meagre efforts. God is our Father and like the father of very young children, he desires to do far more for us than we are capable of even asking. It's an entirely unequal relationship, yet he treats us with unimaginable consideration, loving-kindness and respect.

He is open-hearted, open-armed and an extravagant giver on a sumptuous scale. He's always smiling, except when he laughs. His words are as gracious as his presence is comforting, and healing is in his touch. This is my God, and I wish more people knew him like he is. But, as I say, there is a cost. Nor is it a small cost: because it is everything. It's all our pride, all our ego and all our self, both as individuals and as a church; because the church is not an organisation, the church is an organism. The church is his Body and he is our Head and what a difference it makes when we recognise that.

When we're properly connected to our Father his life flows through us and outward towards others. When we exalt Jesus above our traditions and welcome the Holy Spirit who Jesus died that we might receive, the church becomes a beautiful

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