"Where Is the Church?" by Ann Weems

The church of Jesus Christ
is where a child of God brings a balloon
is where old women come to dance
is where young men see visions and old men dream dreams

The church of Jesus Christ
is where lepers come to be touched
is where the blind see and the deaf hear
is where the lame run and the dying live

The church of Jesus Christ
is where daisies bloom out of barren land
is where children lead and wise men follow
is where mountains are moved and walls come tumbling down

The church of Jesus Christ
is where loaves of bread are stacked in the sanctuary to feed the hungry
is where coats are taken off and put on the backs of the naked
is where shackles are discarded and kings and shepherds sit down to life together

The church of Jesus Christ
is where barefoot children run giggling in procession
is where the minister is ministered unto
is where the anthem is the laughter of the congregation and the offering plates are full of people

The church of Jesus Christ
is where people go when they skin their knees or their hearts
is where frogs become princes and Cinderella dances beyond midnight
is where judges don't judge and each child of God is beautiful and precious

The church of Jesus Christ
is where the sea divides for the exiles
is where the ark floats and the lamb lies down with the lion
is where people can disagree and hold hands at the same time

The church of Jesus Christ
is where night is day
is where trumpets and drums and tambourines declare God's goodness
is where lost lambs are found

The church of Jesus Christ
is where people write thank-you notes to God
is where work is a holiday
is where seeds are sown and miracles are grown

The church of Jesus Christ
is where home is
is where heaven is
is where a picnic is communion and people break bread together on their knees

The church of Jesus Christ is where we live responsively toward God's coming