“I mean,” I’d told Steve once, exasperated after listening to Donald talk about institutional growth and how to attract new members with our innovative liturgy, “the point of church isn’t to get people to come to church.” “No?” said Steve, cocking an eyebrow. “What is it?” It seemed obvious to me. “To feed them, so they can go out and, you know, be Jesus.”

I suddenly was abashed. “I mean, I don’t know, I’m new, that sounds pretentious…” My voice trailed off. But I meant it. You have been greatly loved, said a piece of the Gospel that had stuck with me. Go and do likewise. That seemed pretty…clear.

from Take This Bread