Excellence.  A word strangely lacking in the church today. 

Have you ever heard anyone use the phrase “it’s just church?”  I have, and it tears me up.  The fact is the “it’s just church” mentality is running rampant in our culture today.  It is sadly becoming the norm.  Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly churches out there doing a great job, but for the most part excellence is a key factor missing from the Christian Church today.

Take a look back in time with me if you will.  There was a time in the not too distant past when Christ followers were the ones creating the most magnificent pieces of art and music, and it was all for the glory of God.  Look at Handel’s “Messiah” or Verdi’s “Requiem.”  Observe the beauty of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling, or Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” What you will notice is how excellent these pieces of art are.

So, I ask again, where is the excellence in the Christian Church today?  Why did Christians go from creating the most glorious pieces of art in the world for the glory of God to settling for mediocrity?

In the Bible there is a very clear example of what the Lord expects from us.  One of the last things God says to the people of Israel before a silence lasting around 400 years is found in the book of Malachi.

Mal 1:13-14 "When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?" says the LORD.  "Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations."

Notice in this passage God is not asking for a perfect sacrifice.  He is simply asking for our best sacrifice.  It’s the same when we bring him our sacrifice of praise.  He expects us to bring Him our best every single time.

There is a book written by Nancy Beach called “An Hour on Sunday”.  Nancy is the Programming Director and a Teaching Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church.  Her book is all about the importance of the hour on Sunday, and the life change that can happen when the Holy Spirit uses all of our best gifts for a common purpose.

Friends, that is all we want to do; give the Holy Spirit our absolute best and let Him take it all the way to the miraculous.

I am thrilled to be a part of a team of people like this, and I know that as we dream together, grow together, and learn to love the Lord even more intimately together we will see life change in our midst.  God will work through us to change our community, and if we believe He can even our world.   

-Dan DeRushia,    Pastor of Worship & Music