I'm waiting out a storm at work and thought I'd give this lil bloggy thing a shot lol...

I was reminded a few weeks of one thing that amazes me at Grace, and that is the leadership and their voluntary transparency. 

When I first started attending Grace, I was often surprised to see heartwrenching testimonies by people during services about how they had suffered alcoholism or drug use or even sexual molestation and about how God had used Grace Church to help them overcome their issues.  Having grown up in a pretty conservative Southern Baptist church, these were just not things you mentioned anytime, but definitely not up front during the service!!  But it was comforting to know that here these people were standing up front for the world to see and praying they would not be judged for who they USED to be - and in the end were reaching people because of the ability to TRULY relate to each other.  Then, I got involved in classes and again connected with leaders that opened their lives up to the group as if they were an open book.  We weren't being told how to live our life based on how they had lived their life... we were DOING LIFE TOGETHER - the good, the bad, and the UGLY parts of life.

And now, I stand in complete admiration of Ron and Debbie and their family as they trudge through their current valley, because they have chosen once again to be transparent.  You will rarely find a pastor in ANY church, let alone a church as large as Grace, that will just climb up on that stage and lay it all on the table, as Ron and Debbie did.  They have set the ultimate example for us as a church (short of God, that is) by unveiling their weakness and fears, yet displaying obediance and accountability no matter what the cost.  We should be so honored and thankful that we are blessed with two people that refuse to undermine their Christian reputations to protect family pride, and in doing so have somewhat invited their church family to endure this trial alongside them. 

I have often doubted the sincerety of certain pastors at other "megachurches" based on their own words and actions. But this situation has caused me to see that Grace Church is the "real thing".  I don't think it is a coincidence that God called Ron or whoever it was that named the church to name it GRACE.  Let's all strive to continue to live up to our name by extending it to everyone...  as a way to thank Ron for what he has done for the church and to thank GOD for what he has done for US!!!