Today was Youth Sunday at NorthHaven Church, following what was evidently a very successful Disciple Now weekend. I was speaking with two visitors this morning, and for some reason felt the need to apologetically point out that the service today would be unusual. Of course, after getting home, I read this essay by Rachel Held Evans.

I want a church that includes fussy kids, old liturgy, bad sound, weird congregants, and…brace yourself…painfully amateur “special music” now and then.

Why?

Well, for one thing, when the gospel story is accompanied by a fog machine and light show, I always get this creeped-out feeling like someone’s trying to sell me something. It’s as though we’re all compensating for the fact that Christianity’s not good enough to stand on its own so we’re adding snacks.

But more importantly, I want to be part of an un-cool church because I want to be part of a community that shares the reputation of Jesus, and like it or not, Jesus’ favorite people in the world were not cool. They were mostly sinners, misfits, outcasts, weirdos, poor people, sick people, and crazy people.

May we have a community filled with Jesus’ favorite people.