There are a lot of churches in America, and I would go out on a limb to say that most churches are barely surviving, and few are thriving. So, as I transition from a successful church to a church that is still forming (no, I don’t mean the building is under construction…the community is under construction) I am questioning what separates a busy church and an effective church. Every church has lots going on, regardless of how many people make up the particular church. Church programming can become a slippery slope that can lead to busyness and impotence. With this in mind, I am on the lookout for churches who are effective; who engage their community in what they are doing, and see people change to follow the way of Jesus. There are a lot of young flashy churches, that seem to have it all together. We must ask the question; does our church have any depth beyond your website and youtube page? Are people changing, and growing and giving up their lives to follow Christ? I desire to see heart change, not just numbers in an auditorium. I desire to be part of a movement, something that goes beyond self-help and reaches out a hand to those who are fighting alone. I want to be part of something that isn’t about me, and something that is oh-so-much bigger than me. I want to be part of an effective community of Christ followers boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God with love and grace.