This post is written by my friend Aaron Reddin.

Let me say this: 2009 thoroughly sucked.  And when I say it sucked… I mean…

Well, it just sucked, OK?

There were some really amazing things that took place, but their glory seemed to have been robbed by the actions of others as well as other circumstances.

If this post were about me, I’d tell you all about it.  But it’s not.  It’s about you, The Church.

In 2010 though,  you have shown me the beauty that lurks beneath the surface of the “Sunday crowds”.  You’ve shown me that the beauty and love that exists there, far exceeds the darkness and destruction that we can periodically face there.

It’s so easy to let the stupid, careless, and selfish actions of others completely ruin our love for The Church.  It’s so, so easy.

I’ve now found that it’s equally easy to see the beauty of the majority.  If you want to see it.

I didn’t attend very many church services in 2010.  I didn’t want to.  I still don’t want to.  But I have seen the unveiled hearts of the people in many local churches as they banded together to meet more needs than any of us could keep up with.

I did get to see liberals working with conservatives.  Black people working with white people.  Men working with women.  Teens working with elders.  Denominations working with “nons”.  And even churches working with the de-churched.

It has been remarkable.  It hasn’t been about what church was doing what.  It’s been about identifying needs and finding ways to meet them, no matter the cost.  It has been nothing short of beautiful.  Thank you all for showing me that I need not place a “church name label” on people who attend particular churches.  I need only place a “family” label on members of The Church.

We don’t need more church services to change the world.  I’ve always believed that.  And you’ve proven it to me in 2010.

I won’t list everyone that has played a part in all of this, as I can’t keep up with them all.  Nor is it about individual credit to any one person or organization.  It’s just about saying thank you.  Even though I won’t list anybody, you know who you are.

Thank you for showing me more of the heart of Christ.  Thank you for bringing me closer to God.  Thank you for helping me to judge less, and love more.  Thank you for pushing me to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in my actions.  Thank you for encouraging me when I wanted to quit.  For pushing me when I wanted to slow down.  Thank you for being my friends.  And thank you for showing me that “The Church” is real, and very much alive.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2011.

Are you able to “believe” in the The Church? Why or why not?