When we first moved back to Buffalo, we had two very young children who had not yet been formally dedicated to the Lord. Due to multiple moves and the difficulties involving finding a new church with young babies, we just hadn’t gotten to it. I will never forget that first conversation I had with our pastor, when I asked him, within a couple short weeks of attending, if we could have them dedicated. He smiled and said, “Of course!” I don’t remember his exact words, but I remember, in that moment, the way he made me feel like we were already a part of the family; that there were no protocols or rules to our desires to follow Jesus and proclaim His love over our children. And I have repeatedly watched this same mentality in welcoming others there over the last 9 years. The hungry, the sick, the homeless, those with special needs, the crying babies, the single moms, the angry and hurting; Come as you ARE.
Sick people go to the doctor to become well.
Students go to school to become knowledgeable.
We recognize the help we need, and seek it. I can remember people telling me that they wanted to give their lives to Christ, but wanted to straighten up first. They felt that they needed to clean up their own act before coming to Him. Likewise, the church will sometimes behave in this way toward the sins of others, as though you should already be perfect upon attending. Lifestyles, fashions, behaviors, habits which don’t align with the church’s views or rules are often frowned upon, making the attendees feel unwelcome. Listen, some of us might be better at hiding it than others. Maybe we don’t all wear our sins on our sleeves, but not one of us is better than another! When Jesus would minister to prostitutes, touch and heal the lepers, even have chosen disciples among Him, sin against Him, who are we to pick and choose who can come to Him?
The church body is full of imperfect people. We are all sinners in search of salvation. We are all broken in need of restoration. We are all sick, hoping to be made well. We are all students seeking knowledge. We don’t go to church because we’ve got it all figured out. We don’t go to church because we’re perfect. We don’t go to church because we’re hypocrites. We go to church to meet with Jesus, and acknowledge that we are imperfect people in need of a Savior.
Allow Jesus to meet you, right where you are, and make sure you’re not standing in the way of others, in need of the same thing.
My church is very welcoming and is “come as you are”. I love see your Monday message from scripture. I felt god’s call to come back to faith (one of your messages actually felt like God saying “Hi, I’m here. It’s ok to come back”) and so I went back to church for the first time in years. Your messages have been very uplifting for me. Thank you so much for sharing them 🙂
Colleen, I have had a hard time putting into words, how much your comment means to me. I am so incredibly humbled to be a servant of God, and that He might speak to you through my blog, blows my mind! Each week as I write what I feel He has placed on my heart, I pray it reaches exactly who He intends it for. Thank you so much for sharing that with me, and I will continue to pray for you, as you seek him! 🙂