“What I Love about the Church” by Scott McCown , Guest Writer

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Aug 30, 2010 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

I am fortunate that Chris was willing to give me a turn at “What I love about the Church.” I originally decided not to read everyone else’s post so that their posts would not influence me or make me try to be original, but I found myself reading them anyway. Every article deserves a hearty, “Amen, preach it brother!” Many of them make similar observations and I am certain I will repeat something already stated.

I grew-up in a Christian home. My parents and three of my four grandparents are (were) members of the Church. Many of my earliest memories surround assembling with Christians and having other church members over our house on Sunday evenings. Growing up there were two major influences other than my family they were Church and school. My adult life reflects those influences – I am a preacher, married to an elementary school teacher and I volunteer with a local school in a number of areas. Church involvement was never an option and neither was respecting and loving the Church. That is not to say my parents forced my involvement, but their example and instruction insured that I would dedicate myself to Christ and His Church. They taught me to love the Church. What I love about the Church, I learned from those before me.

I love the Church in view of the fact that God loved Her enough to PURCHASE Her at a sacrificial price (Acts 20:28). How can I not love the people for whom my God and Creator gave all that He had to give to sanctify? How can I turn my back on the Church when God was willing to not spare His Son so that the Church might exist? I love the Church because God loves Her.

I love the Church that is PRECIOUS to Her Groom (Eph 5:21-33). Paul’s description of the Church as the betrothed of Christ is a beautiful portrait. When ever I see a long-lasting marriage relationship that is beautiful and I see the way the husband dotes on his bride of many years, I think about Christ doting on His betrothed Bride – the Church. I think of how He is preparing Her for the day He presents His chosen Bride to the Father. How proud He is of Her beauty and accomplishments that glorify Him. I love the Church because the Christ loves Her.

I love the Church that has the PROMISE of an eternally joyous relationship with Her Husband (Rev 19). We as the Church – purchased and precious – await the day when we will welcome the Bridegroom who promised to come and take us home with Him to His Father’s house (John 14:1-6). I love the Church because the faithful will one day reunite in heaven with the Father and the Son.

I love the Church!

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About Scott McCown:

(Written by Scott)

I am a husband to a wonderful and patient lady who has graciously loved me for the last 21 years. I am a father to a 13 year old son who is too much like me for his own good and thankfully enough like his mom to balance things out.

I am a full time minister with the Parrish Church of Christ in Parrish, Alabama with whom I began working in July of 1999. I get paid to talk in church. In my spare time I read a good bit, hunt and fish some, play guitar, and am the volunteer Girls Jr. High Basketball team at Oakman Junior High School.

You can read Scott’s blog at http://scottmccown.wordpress.com

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Personal Note:

I want to thank Scott for taking time to write an article for the Preacher’s Pen. Scott’s writings on his website are encouraging and challenging. Each time he writes, his words are inspiring and heartfelt. I am glad to have him appear as a guest writer on the Preacher’s Pen. Be sure to stop by his website and give his writings a read.

Thanks again Scott for writing!

Chris