.

Let me name some. Things like people sharing freely with one another, each member being able to share without any fear that they will be looked down upon for what they say. Fellow members should mourn with their brothers and sisters in Christ when sad moments come and celebrate with them during the joyous ones. There also should be a commonality between the members; they should be able to relate to one another’s feelings. A good church knows no prejudice against people of any race, education level, or social status. All should be working for the common good of each other, selflessly putting others before themselves.

Having said all that let me lead you to a wonderful church. Where is this church? It is on the 7^th floor at Baylor Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care waiting room. I have been a member for a month now and have grown to love it and its members. As much as I love it, I must admit I am looking forward to moving my membership back to my previous church just as soon as possible.

So why, you may ask, am I calling a waiting room a church? Because it has operated as one, and perhaps even better at times. First, all of us current members have one thing in common. We have a sick baby that needs critical care. This fact alone is enough to create a bond that has helped us to build friendships that will last in our memories forever. This bond starts conversations over things like, “How is your baby doing?” “How long have you been here?” “When are you going home?” “How is the other twin doing?” “Where do you live?” There is one subject and one subject only that is a priority -- our babies.

With the subject in focus we have learned to pray for one another. The name of Christ comes up often. Here there has been no question of God, only the mention of His name when we talk about praying for one another, or thanks to Him for his provisions during a difficult time. Funny, but on the 7^th floor denomination is rarely mentioned but Christ often is. Barriers of religious politics and denominationally fighting do not exist when you are a member of the 7^th floor church.

I am a preacher, and I must admit that I have talked more about God to strangers in the last month than in any other period of time in my life. By the way, who needs preachers here? Everyone has a testimony; everyone has a word to say. At times it is said through tears of heartache and at others through tears of joy. Let me tell you, I have no trouble staying awake for their messages either.

You might think this is a sad church filled with misery. Think again. Though our focus is on our babies, we have had a great deal of time to share with one another about our lives. There have

been moments of laughter. God has used this church to cut through the pressure with moments of joy. Amazing? Not really. When God is involved, when there is freedom of sharing with one another, laughter seems to follow.

Now any good church needs a good outreach leader. We have the best; he is my 20-month old son. This guy will walk up to anyone at anytime, no matter of age, race or gender. And of course he is so cute (writer’s prejudice) they cannot resist him. He has created more conversations and more smiles than I ever could have imagined. With him as our outreach leader we have been able to meet all kinds of different people and welcome them into the 7^th Floor Church Of The Waiting Room.

For one reason or another, churches in this day and time have become show oriented, more concerned with the personality than the person. Rarely does real fellowship develop. Deep meaningful conversation is a rarity. Until that changes, church will be cold lifeless places where few lives are changed.

If you’re looking for a good example of church done right, visit the 7^th floor. I am thinking of putting a steeple on it before I leave.

Take a look at how you do church today. Are you a surface person, only going through the motions of playing church? Staying on the surface is safe, but it is not church as it was intended to be. Who knows? You may be the engine God uses to get a whole new church started; one that reaches and changes lives for Him.

Scripture: Jude 20-22,

“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in our most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we thank you for your church and how it ministers to believers and to the lost. Help us to be faithful members, motivated by the love of Christ as we live out the remainder of our days here on earth, awaiting your soon return. In Christ’s Name, Amen.