In our passage for Sunday, St. Paul enumerates various "excellencies." In Philippians 4:4-9, the Apostle tells his friends to think about those things which are commendable, lovely, just, and pure. He's laying out for us the good life: the way of Jesus in the world.  

In case these excellencies seemed too vague for his hearers to understand, he invited them to remember his conduct when he was in Philippi- what he did and said while he was with them. He then gives a command: "Practice these things." Observe, imitate, and learn as you go.

St. Paul's vision of the Christian life seems less like a lecture hall and more like an athletic field. The way we "learn" to live the good life is by watching, trying, failing, reflecting, and trying again. In some ways, he lowers the bar for church membership. Do you not have this "Jesus thing" figured out yet? That's OK, he says: practice makes perfect! 

We often tell ourselves that "the church" is that place you go when you have it all figured out and finally have your ducks in a row. It's a place for elite, pro-Christians. Nothing could be further from the truth. The church is a learning lab, a teaching hospital—a place to go when you don't have it all figured out but want to learn to be more human in community.

And so, dear friends, if you do not have it all figured out, come to the altar reserved not for professional Christians, but for amateurs who want to practice the way of Jesus together. If that's you, All Saints Dallas is exactly where you belong this Sunday!