Cheers

The jingle was familiar...you recognized it when it came on television.

Making your way in the world today takes everything you got.

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your namee,

and they're always glad you came.

You wanna be where you can see,

our troubles are all the same

You wanna be where everybody knows

Your name.

For eleven seasons, Cheers entertained America with a story set in a Boston tavern. There were the normal brand of everyday people who came through the doors of the bar bearing an untold story. The more familiar ones were greeted as they walked in while others were tolerated.

Last evening I was reading Eugene Peterson's new book entitled, The Pastor. In the book he traces his journey from his fathers' butcher shop through his days as a pastor and eventually his days back in his childhood home of Montana. It is a refreshing read.

He describes his understanding of "congregational" atmosphere and what it should feel like.

Congregation is composed of people, who, upon entering a church, leave behind what people on the street name them or call them. A church can never be reduced to a place where goods and services are exchanged. It must never be a place where people are labeled. It can never be a place where gossip is perpetuated. Before anything else, it is a place where a person is named and greeted, whether implicitly or explicitly, in Jesus' name. A place where dignity is conferred. p.40

Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo wrote the words to the Cheers intro song. Every time I hear them, I wonder if they should be played as people walk through the doors of churches everywhere.

Eugene Peterson is right...a church can never be  reduced to a place where goods and services are exchanged. It must be a place where, "everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came."

Today is Palm Sunday and I am headed out to worship the One who "knows my name!" See you at the House!