I quit going to church

By Joel Atwell

… you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood … you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God …”

Dear church,

For all who know her it comes as no surprise that Laura Atteberry (Pastor Doug’s wife) is often “caught red-handed” living out what it means to “be the church.” Let me give you yet another example.

At Christmas time, Laura (who works as a ‘para’ at SHES) won two hours of free house cleaning in a drawing at a work Christmas party. A few weeks ago, in preparation for some company, she decided to cash in her free gift and get some help on the house. However, when the house cleaner arrived and began working, she found in Laura a genuine, loving, caring, compassionate, listening, Christian woman who was way more concerned about her as a person than the fact that “the clock was running” on her free cleaning. So, she began to pour out her heart.

Long story short, last Sunday I looked out across the congregation during our 10:45 a.m. service and saw Laura sitting by her new “house cleaning friend” whom she had invited. This week Laura’s new friend plans to come back, bring her husband and sit in on our “About Us” class in order to find out more about GC and what “next steps” they might take in order to get connected in the life of the church.

Laura, I know this email makes you a little uncomfortable because you make no claim to be anything or anyone special, but thank you for not simply playing religious games. Thank you for not just “going to church.” You are helping us understand what it looks like to truly “be the church” and we are thankful.

Joel