Moving is never easy
The packing, the transferring of schools
Meeting your new community
And entering the new church pool.
When my job landed us in this city,
I knew a good church family the Lord would send.
We needed a church family with qualities
Like the qualities we looked for in a friend.
A true friendship is based on truth.
We needed biblical truth to fall on our ear.
I needed a church that tells us not just what we want,
But, also, the truth that we needed to hear.
A true friendship is based on similar interests,
The next word out of their mouth, you know.
We needed a church that loved Jesus as much as we did,
And would help us reach the common goal.
A true friendship is based on loyalty.
We needed a church to stand by us like no other.
We didn’t need people talking behind our backs,
But we needed the loyalty of a true brother.
A true friendship is based on forgiveness.
We need a church to understand, “I’m sorry.”
Not people who continue to talk about the issue,
But people that empathized as they wrapped their arms around me.
A true friendship is based on selflessness,
And the church is not for self at all.
We need a church who would get out of their own way
To encourage us to answer the service call.
A true friendship is based on respect.
God gave us so many gifts to claim.
We needed a church that understood using these for God’s glory,
And respecting that none of them are the same.
A true friendship is based on honesty.
Our last church was honest, and that’s why we came.
We needed people to allow us to admit reflective truths,
And people who encourage us to take the blame.
A true friendship is based on kindness,
Because being the new member is awkward.
We needed a church to choose us more than the first week,
So when the next family comes, we could pay it forward.
A true friendship is based on peace.
Peace makers were what we looked for in leaders.
We needed a church who strived for resolution
And not just people pleasers.
A true friendship is based on unconditional love.
We all have conditions to say.
We needed a church that knew their pew was fighting sin,
But loved them through the fight anyway.
A true friendship is based on the inside.
The hearts under the physical covers.
We needed a church that was based on real mission
And not just how it appeared on the outside to others.
There’s not a church that is perfect
You knew that without the rhyme.
Because in every church are people
And people mess up all the time.
Your best friend is not perfect,
But there is a reason you planted that seed.
That best friend has more than just your wants in mind,
Your friend has in mind your needs.
So as you church hop to find the perfect one
Don’t pick the one that gives you that “feeling.”
On this Rock Christ established His church
For you to be the blessing.
There are many true friendships to be made
Where you can serve in the church together.
These friendships will serve in this season and lifetime,
And in eternity serve the Father forever.
Comments