Go to church anyway
In a recent hospital visit I met a Catholic lady and asked her if she wanted to receive communion. Without hesitation she replied, “No.” She went on to complain about the priest and church members in her congregation who were lacking in charity. There appeared to be no redeeming factor on her church experience horizon.
In later considerations I realized what I might have said to counter her negativity and leave her with some hope. On this day I left her with a blessing and shared a prayer to Mary, the “untier” of knots.
f Jesus were alive today, would he get into trouble for inviting people to church? On a recent Facebook post I picked up the following message: If you're having sex before marriage, go to church anyway. If you are a drug addict trying to beat addiction, go to church anyway.
If you were out drunk all night the night before, go to church anyway. If you aren't sure what gender you prefer, go to church anyway. If you can't quit that disgusting habit, go to church anyway.
CHURCH is a HOSPITAL for the BROKEN, LOST, EMPTY, CONFUSED, DESPERATE, and REJECTED.
Every sinner has a future, and every saint has a past. How do we break the chains of addiction and bondage? By prayer... Prayer for you. Prayer with you!
There isn't a single person in the four walls of the church that doesn't have something they hate or regret about their past.
We've all made mistakes and will continue to, BUT His Grace is enough.
There are things that I'd never want to admit out loud about myself, but God knows. And He loves me nonetheless. So whatever you've done, whatever you're doing, whatever you will do...it might just change your life if...YOU GO TO CHURCH ANYWAY.
In A Bigger Table Pastor John Pavlovitz challenges us to be a more inclusive church. In his invitation to readers he says: “No one likes to eat alone; to approach a table filled with people, only to be told that despite the open chairs there isn’t room for you. The rejection stings. It leaves a mark.”
This is exactly what the church has been saying to far too many people for far too long – “You’re not welcome here. Find someplace else to sit.” Sometimes admitting the truth hurts.
Pavlovitz asks, “How can we extend unconditional welcome and acceptance in a world increasingly marked by bigotry, fear, and exclusion?” The Christian community has been earnestly wrestling with: LGBT inclusion, gender equality, racial tensions, and global concerns.
In A Bigger Table Pavlovitz looks for a way to build a church where everyone gets a seat. His subtitle suggests Building Messy, Authentic, Hopeful Spiritual Community. It may be messy, but we need to build anyway.
In the Catholic Church the Jubilee year Pilgrims of Hope emphasizes the church as an open door. Pope Francis said, “Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven.”
The Church is Christ with open arms on the Cross saying to the sinner, “This day you will be with me in paradise.” Through the church Jesus provides food for our journey towards heaven.
This is a good year to attend church and study the bible. Statistics show that
only .001% of all deaths occur in church during worship services. The percentage of deaths during bible study is even lower.
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