I miss church.

I love Philippians chapter 3. Every time I read it I'm taken back to both of the churches I attended in Oklahoma City. Those churches really had it down--what it meant to be a support system for each other and above all, a family. I'm not saying they were perfect, I just feel they had it figured out--what Jesus wanted the church to be.

They weren't concerned with monetary and material things. If a need arose, they were prayerful about it and God always provided what was best. Philippians 3:7 says: "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ." Paul is saying that any advance he made in wealth and material possessions was only a loss to the cause of Christ. What happened to churches who thought like this? Why is it that churches in Oklahoma City (who receive much negative talk from the very conservative churches in this area of the United States) can have this figured out and no one in this area can quite catch on to it. Or they don't want to.

I visited one church here that seemed like it was going to be the ideal match for me. They weren't afraid of the conservative church slander and negative publicity they receive from other churches in the area. They have a "praise team" which I've never experienced before, but it wasn't a showcase or performance by any means, and I must say I enjoyed the experience. But as I sat there, knowing no one around me, I felt almost ashamed in my worn out (but comfortable) khaki colored corduroys and polo shirt. Those of you who know me know that I'm not the girliest girl. I don't give much thought to fashion. I actually consider it a waste of time. (But that's a different post on a different day, I guess...) The church was friendly enough, but I really did feel out of place because of the way I was dressed. Everyone there was wearing expensive, fashionable, flashy clothes. Some of the women my age were wearing things I, personally, would think of as "club wear" in that they were very tight and revealing. How is this appropriate to wear to worship a God who calls us to be humble and modest? And if someone who was searching for meaning in their life, someone off the street, strung out on meth, living a life of prostitution to make ends meet walked into the doors seeking answers... how accepted and welcome would they feel?

Philippians 3:8-11: "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

When did this goal change among the churches of Christ?