Dung Stinks

i have debated about sharing this email exchange on my blog. but i got pushed over the edge to post it after i started reading some bloggers who are not understanding the heart behind the top 100 churches issue of outreach magazine.

we were blessed to be included in this year's list of fastest growing churches (hpc is #92). they also did a story on hpc - one of the six church highlights they did. below, i've included the email i sent lindy lowry (editor of outreach magazine) after getting my copy. then after that is her response to my email.

Wow.

Not many other words can explain how we’ve felt around here today. “Humbled” is probably one of them. Thanks so much for including us in this issue in such a positive light. We are very aware that God has blessed us and that is why anything good that’s happening here is happening. And we’re also very very encouraged by the whole magazine – to see so many great churches doing a lot to reach a lot of people. It’s not about numbers – but it is about people – about trying to make (like you quoted) it hard for people to die not knowing Christ – and the more people we can help with that, the better.

It’s a very humbling thing to be included in this issue – especially when you consider how we were included. Everyone on staff that came thru my office today that saw it (I made sure all of them did) did the same thing – it starts with a “wow – check us out – we’re in outreach!” but in just a few seconds it turns into a “wow – thank God – what an honor – I can’t believe it – how humbling – where’d this come from?”

Anyway – I just wanted to say thanks for the encouragement this issue represents to us – and I hope to others as well. You’re doing a great thing for the Kingdom and it’s making an important difference.

-do

now here's lindy's reply:

I'm so glad you were encouraged by the issue and the coverage of HPC, as well as the other churches. That's what we try to make this issue about, but unfortunately, it never fails that people make it about who's on the lists, what ranking they have, etc. I heard yesterday about one church questioning another church's ranking that was higher than theirs....--it's so discouraging.

I forwarded your e-mail to our team--something as big as a magazine is only accomplished through a team. Thanks for working with us so well and quickly. I was really pleased with the story and the opportunity to feature you guys. And to think, it all started with one e-mail way back when, saying, "Let me tell you about our church." :)

Thanks for taking the time to write...

Best,
Lindy

it is pretty cool to get listed among such a great bunch of churches. that's for real. it's very quickly a humbling thing - to think that God has put his hand on us and entrusted so many lives to us.

it can't be that we're better than anyone else. i know me. i wouldn't qualify to be part of something great enough to deserve this blessing. it is just God's sovereign favor. and it is up to us to do all we can to put that blessing to use to help as many people as possible have a destiny-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.

big church or small church - it's all for His glory or it's all a bunch of dung. i'm going for the "to God be the glory" option because dung stinks.