When was the Last Time...

folks said, "Wow!" when they heard about something the church has done?

At least in a positive way?

Oh, sure, I know that such a thing is often said about an individual congregation's activities.

"St. Steven's raised over $10,000 at their annual picnic."

Wow.

"St. Peter's raised $30,000 to provide clean drinking water in Africa."

Wow.

Lakewood Church draws 15,000 people every Sunday.

Wow.

Not to diminish such accomplishments, but really, is this all the Church is capable of?  Is this all the church can do?  Individual congregations impacting local communities?  That's it?  When is the last time the Church did something that made the world take notice?  When is the last time the Church did something that made folks across a broad geographical area stop and ponder the power of God working through His people?

I'm waiting.

It seems like the only big things that draw attention to the church are pastors who get put on the spot when asked questions about God's relationship toward homosexuals...

or when a pastor or priest gets caught abusing a child...

or when a pastor or priest is seen with a prostitute (and not in the same fashion that Jesus visited with prostitutes)...

or when a pastor/church embezzles money.

Such things cause people to say, "Wow." and shake their heads in a very negative manner.

But where are our tremendous acts of kindness, generosity, and overwhelming grace that cause people to stop and pause?  Where are our acts of unconditional love and sacrifice that cause people to stop and say, "The church still has relevance."?

Is there anything beyond the political agendas of the religious right and religious left?  Can Christians actually get together and make a difference beyond such politically driven ideology?

Can we think beyond ourselves and our local congregations to embrace the reality of a world changing faith which seeks not its own glory but to glorify our Father in Heaven? 
Can we make such a difference?

When was the last time...