An old blues guitar-playing friend of mine from northern San Diego Country recently moved to Eugene and we have reconnected. Since the time we were in the same church, over 15 years ago, he's lived several other places and has played in a variety of worship bands. I asked him what he's learned about what makes churches healthy. In this installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I want to quote him. My friend Chris first commented on what keeps churches from getting healthy.

"What seems to be the disconnect is a slow transition into a "gimmie" attitude toward the church - a cultural shift that the people coming to church are expecting something in return: let me receive great worship, let me receive a "feel good" message, let me experience great kids programs, but don't make me work, don't make me open my Bible. Contrast that with a lifestyle and church environment of coming to give worship, to give my gifts, to demonstrate my hunger for knowing the deep things of God. Where is the contagious joy, vivacious life and abundant strength of the Christian in the walk? Do we not want to be a people that are consistently asked what is it about you that makes you so strong, happy, fun and vibrant all the time? There are a lot of Christian folks out there who feel the need to be so spiritually constipated and dowdy that they look like they have been sucking on lemons all day. Transformation is makes people come alive and it is the living church that is blessed and grows abundantly."