We had 16 people at prayer meeting last night (two of them babies). That's a new record. We met around two big round tables in the sanctuary. Except for Pam and me and the couple leading the thing, all of the attenders are on the lowest socio-economic end of the Anchor spectrum. We have unwed mothers and convicted felons and people who have trouble reading and/or still lack their GED. People whose prayer needs focus around work--finding a job, finding a better job, making ends meet, just getting by.

I love these people. The group has become a community, a patchwork of meaningful relationships. And we have most definitely seen prayers answered. It's incredibly neat. Bill Hybels says something along the line that, when the church is the church, there's nothing like it in the world. He's right. And even with all of its flaws, which any idiot can point out and criticize, the church of Jesus Christ is still an amazing thing.