A group of annual conference leaders once visited me while I was in seminary. We shared lunch and they used the time to connect and get to know me. They asked about my family and my background. Eventually, they inquired about my church upbringing. Growing up, I had little experience with church. Upon hearing that, one of my visitors made a comment that has stuck with me. They said, "Not growing up in the church is an advantage for you."
That struck me because, by then, I had young children of my own. I could not imagine raising them without the church's support. I do not want them to know what life is without the local church. My three children had church grandmas and grandpas who loved them, prayed for them and showed them what faith looks like. It was my children’s and my family’s great advantage to have a loving and caring family of God surrounding them. Why would I ever consider that to be a disadvantage?
Of course, I understood what my visitor meant. To some extent, I agree with the sentiment behind that statement. Still, I have often reflected on that experience. What I have realized is that the comment struck me because I had already cemented my love for the local church. Because I did not grow up in church, I had a deep gratitude for it. The church is God's wisdom for the world and for each of us as believers in Jesus. Within the family of God, we learn to love the Lord and our neighbors more faithfully. We experience God's grace and truth in ways we could not always manage on our own. 
As we do, the work God's Spirit does within our communities of faith demonstrate to the world the way of God. The Lord blesses us and that blessing is an advantage, even to the world.Stay blessed...john | 
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