n the fall of 2005, I boarded a cruise ship for a study abroad program called Semester At Sea. I spent my fall semester literally on a cruise ship seeing

the world. I would love to tell you I worked really hard in class to obtain good grades, but that would be a lie. (I’m a pastor, I am not allowed to lie.) Most afternoons at sea were spent lying by the pool, planning my next grand adventure.

As I laid by the pool, I’d often remem-ber how my pastor used to describe his hope for the Church: “This isn’t a cruise ship; this is a battle ship.” He wasn’t talking about being at war so much as emphasizing Christ’s desire WKDW�QRQH�RI�XV�VLPSO\�ÁRDW�WKURXJK�WKLV�MRXUQH\��:H�DUH�FDOOHG�WR�ÀQG�D�place to serve and help the Church be what Christ intended: more like Him. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s desire for us to, “grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ.” Paul goes on to say this is only possible if, “the whole body, held together by every joint with which it is equipped, is working properly . . . ” (Ephe-sians 4:15-16 ESV). Well, I did get a D in Anatomy (seriously), but I’m pretty sure the joints Paul is referring to are you and me. And I’m pretty sure we aren’t functioning properly if we are simply cruising through our faith journey, blissfully unaware, enjoying a comfortable ride as someone else brings us to our next port of call.

I came to CPC three years ago to a EXLOGLQJ�,�GLGQ·W�NQRZ��ÀOOHG�ZLWK�SHRSOH�,�GLGQ·W�NQRZ��1RZ��IRU�WKH�ÀUVW�time in 30 years, I have what I would call a “home.” That didn’t just happen. 2QH�RI�WKH�ÀUVW�WKLQJV�,�GLG�XSRQ�P\�arrival was join a small group. I’ll ad-PLW�WKH�ÀUVW�PHHWLQJ�ZDV�DZNZDUG��:H�were all so different and carried our own set of strange quirks. Over time we studied Scripture, prayed, laughed, cried, and served together. It took

LQWHQWLRQDOLW\��VDFULÀFH��WLPH��DQG�effort, but it was worth every minute. This random group of strangers took residence in my heart and became part of my community. God used them in my life to make me more like Christ, and He used me in theirs. That is a beautiful thing.

Being part of a church isn’t about making more friends; it’s about

becoming more like Christ, and we can’t do that alone. How tragic if we were to live out this life surrounded by people just like us. You see, the reality is I can’t do this Christian life without you, and you can’t do it without me. It’s not really about “you” or “me” anyhow; it’s about “us.” It’s about learning how we can function together to grow up in every way into &KULVW��,W·V�DERXW�ÀQGLQJ�D�JURXS�RI�people that wants to walk with Jesus together to make a difference in this world. It’s about doing life together. It’s about being intentional to let a building of strangers become your community.

I loved my time on the cruise ship, but I don’t want to live my life that way. And I don’t want you to either. 6R�JUDE�\RXU�VWDWLRQV�DQG�ÀQG�\RXU�place. Because like my old pastor said, “This isn’t a cruise ship; this is a battle ship.” All aboard.

So grab your stations and find

your place. Because like my old

pastor said, “this isn’t a cruise ship, it’s a battle ship.”

Lee Hanssen serves as CPC’s Director of Student Ministries, which places every single student in a small group with a mentor. Lee, who was married in May 2013, is pursuing his M.Div at Bethel Seminary.

10 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3 | C P C L I F E

IBy Lee Hanssen