I'd like to see the church become less judgmental, extending more grace and love to believers and nonbelievers. Not castigating those, say, who have experienced divorce or lost a loved one, or faced any struggle society deems uncomfortable. The church is meant to be a haven for the wounded, the weary. It falls far short nowadays, but I believe there is hope.

My hope is that the Church will be bold enough to be different from the world that we live in, not in a sense of religious superiority but in God sized love that encompasses differences at every level of human existence. That we could look at the people around us and lay down denominational and theological lines and be a peculiar people, set aside for God's purpose and His glory!

I hope the church is a place where you can walk in the doors no matter how you are dressed and no matter how you live. You can find friendship, generosity, wisdom and truth. Church should be a place where you are free to learn and grow, and in turn to serve others in a way that is meaningful to both you and those you serve. My hope is that church can be like an extended family.

My hope for the church is to be a unified group of believers, fearlessly spreading the Gospel in a loving and Christ-like manner.

I wish to see the church never losing touch of our roots that revolves around the love that has been given to us, undeserving and sinful creatures, and that I hope that the church will spread and emulate that same merciful love to others.

My hope for the Church is the unity of the body in such a way that we recognize there is one race ~ human. That we would not be divided by lines of race, denomination, education, class or anything that is not essential to our belief in Christ. Also that we would bravely stand for the truth of God's word in loving ways, to turn the hearts of those around us to Christ.

My hope for the church is that our focus is not about programming on Sundays, but on seeking the heart of Jesus every day of the week.

My hope for the Church is that we would be unified in love. Not a false or wishy-washy unity which ignores the great differences which do exist, but a binding together in the love of Christ. A love which can defend, debate, and dig into differences (for I believe this IS important), but in the end acknowledges that we each are branches on the Vine. A love which is stronger than dogma or politics. My hope is that instead of hypocrisy and in-fighting, the world would see the Church and see love.

I hope the Church will increasingly make disciples of Jesus who understand the unique way they've been made and how God wants to use that. I hope we will all learn to see ourselves as a body with Jesus as the head--understanding our role and pursuing it with joy and purpose. I hope the Church will grow in diversity so that we can say there is neither black nor white, old nor young, male nor female, rich or poor, but all are one in Christ Jesus with integrity. And I hope through it all we remain faithful to the One who has given us new life, enduring purpose, and real hope.

I keep going back to the old saying about the church not being a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners (variously credited to Dear Abby and St. John Chrysostom). I hope that our churches will continue to find ways to communicate that it is okay for people to acknowledge their brokenness, and that church is a safe place to do that.