In the 1980’s there was a famous TV show called “Cheers” that played itself out in a bar.

It may seem strange that I would bring it up or use it as an example, yet the Holy Spirit reminded me of “Cheers” this morning, and more particularly about the theme song of the series – “Where everybody knows your name!”

Is that not what we are all looking for and want?

A place or community where everyone knows our name, where we feel loved, where our presence matters and where we are more than just “another customer”?

When church becomes community, rather than an institution, we find that we are once again discovered among another for the unique individuals who God created us to be.

We discover new ways of adding value to each other’s lives and find that God uses us in a special way to minister to our brothers and sisters, not from some a distant pulpit, but in ordinary ways that bring a real and relative change and transformation about, as we allow Jesus to demonstrate Himself through us in the things He has uniquely equipped us with.

When God’s Love floods our lives and our eyes are filled with His Beauty, we cannot help but to begin to notice one another and to allow His Love to flow freely among us….

….. and we become a company “where everybody knows your name,” a Love-company expressing His Love in a world desperate to be loved!

~ Johann van der Hoven

Johann van der Hoven is in South Africa. He has been serving the Lord in ministry since 1991 and has hosted numerous apostolic revival meetings in South Africa and in South America. He also currently pioneers a organic church planting movement across South Africa. For more information about him and his ministry visit www.sonsofsovereignty.com or Revival.

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