I keep having this recurring thought and I have to blog it. I wrote it in my prayer journal a few weeks ago. It kept coming to mind during our leadership retreat.

Here’s my recurring thought: I’m so grateful for a church where I can be myself.

There is so much pretense in so many churches. There is an image to uphold. It’s like a game of charades that never ends! I love the Church, but there is way too much posturing and positioning. Too many churches mistake cultural conformity for spiritual maturity. There is a sense of safety and security because everyone is like everyone else. But we have a core value at NCC: conformity doesn’t equal maturity.

I feel like we’ve created a culture that balances conformity and originality. I’ve preached this a hundred times. We each have a dual-destiny. One destiny is universal–conformity to Christ. The other destiny is unique–originality. We are destined to become like Christ and destined to become unlike anyone who has ever lived.

Here’s a thought from my book ID: The True You:

There never has been and never will be anyone like you! But that isn’t a testament to you. It’s a testament to the God who created you.

The church ought to be a place where people can most be themselves.

That’s how I feel at NCC. And I don’t take that for granted.