You're the Best!

​What does it mean to be the best? Who determines who is the best? A few months ago I received an email saying Grace Church Kelseyville was voted "Best Church" in Lake and Mendocino Counties. Thinking this was a ploy to get us to cough up money or entertain an undesired conversation I didn’t respond to the email. A few days later we received a non-disclosure agreement that we would not tell anyone until the news was published. Then came a phone call asking if we received the emails. Okay, this must be real by this point, right? Well, it was! Congratulations church, the people of Lake and Mendocino Counties voted and Grace Church received the most votes! We received a packet full of different items to help us celebrate. We have a certificate, a medal, a door sticker and some other literature for us to post to show others how great we are. Pastor Brent and I even joked about wearing the medal around or preaching with it on. Something about this whole process just doesn’t seem right...

Who determines if a church is healthy or thriving? God! Did He vote for us? Does He think we are the best? If the combination of all of His churches make up His bride does He play favorites? We know that God has given us warnings and instructions about how to BE the church. How are we doing at honoring those? I don’t think any of these things were the consideration of those who voted for us. Maybe they like the way we love in the community? Maybe they received a toy from the toy drive or a Christmas tree when we gave them away. Maybe they ate a hotdog from our hotdog cart. Maybe they came to our office for help in a difficult time of need. Perhaps their children or grandchildren attend Awana or Refuge on our campus. We don’t know the extent of our impact as ministers. Our job is to follow the lead of our Savior and to love the world. He is the judge of how we are doing as a church. I feel honored to partner with a church that loves people well and models obedience. I feel honored that people of the world have noticed that and even voted accordingly. 

My hope is that you take some time to reflect and consider what your banner says. Psalm 20 talks about raising a banner. The banners we raise don’t promote us, but instead promote a worthy God. How high are you raising your banner? What words does your banner have written on it? What is your countenance as you raise it? My hope is that the world will see a church (individuals) with a deep love for God! Are you the best? Consider how God may lead you to be the best follower of Him that you can be, bringing Him the most glory from your life. I am so blessed to serve this county and even globally with you church and I really am excited that mankind has taken notice of our efforts to love them.

In Him,
​-Pastor Paul