Insights into my journey, in the hope that it enhances your journey:
When I first walked into the church I now call home, Verve, I was a bit shocked. It did not look like any church I had ever been in. The people gave me such a nonjudgmental feeling that I could not stop thinking about it. It took me quite a while to put my finger on what the feeling was.
This church was very different from my traditional Catholic upbringing. I’m grateful for that experience. In my mind, the formality of that traditional church seemed like a bit of a façade for which people put on their Sunday best. I’m not criticizing that, but I’ve come to have a deeper understanding that how I lived my life during the other six and a half days was even more important.
We all have our own journey and relationship, whether you believe or not. Many of the people of my church are characters; they are real, authentic, and imperfect. In fact, for a long time there was a sign on the door that read, “No perfect people allowed.”
The pastor, Vince, reached me with his sermons in a way no priest ever had. Sometimes we need to get different perspectives to find the one that seems right for us, especially if it stretches us to grow.
Who are the people, and what are they like? Las Vegas is a different city, and people come here for many different reasons. I thought it might be helpful for you to see them in action. Watch the video about the group and the intention of this “mission church” in Las Vegas. I was in the audience when it was filmed in California. How’s this for openers: the program starts with a former atheist, fire-breathing clown?
I feel like I’m a misfit who has found the island of misfit toys. In fact, the stories from Verve are so extreme that the pastor wrote a book about them, and TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) created a series out of it called God for the Rest of Us.
It is cool to find your church family. If you haven’t already, I hope you find yours.
Thank you, God, for grace, truth, love, and laughter,
Darren
Enjoy. I think it shook things up at TBN!
More about Verve Church… www.VivaLaVerve.org
Darren,
Thanks for your blog.
I too am a misfit. There’s nothing of my own doing that can impress Jesus Christ. Thank God that Jesus has accepted me, saved me and redeemed me!!
From one misfit to another,
Bruce.
It is no surprise to witness the “no limit” gimmicks to draw believers away from the Catholic Church !!!
I am no misfit in my Catholic Church where people are certainly not perfect, we all know that, but everyone is so open about not being perfect and are easy, friendly and sincere.
I am aware that Jesus hates sin but loves the sinner and that is why He loves me so. He came to redeem us from sin knowing that all of us are not perfect. Perfection is a state to be attained in Heaven.
God love us all.