Thinking highly, thinking humbly: The church and its self-image

All kinds of bad things can happen as a result of poor self-image. This is true with individuals, groups, and even nations. Pastor Phil Kniss suggested that one of the biggest problems facing the church is that the church does not think of itself highly enough. We need to stand up to recognize who we are and what we have. In John 17:20-26, Jesus prays for his disciples, prays for them in their presence, asking that the disciples would have the same quality of one-ness that Jesus and God share. Jesus’ desire is that the disciples would be an incarnation of God’s presence. This high view of ourselves keeps the church humble, as we realize that all we are is a result of God’s grace. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, calls the church the aroma of Christ in the world, even while reminding us that we are not equal to the task except through God’s grace. How might we opt out of our society’s expectations and learn to BE church, an incarnational community of witness?