Good People, Huh?

I recently read a blog article, "Why Church Kids Must Go Bad?"...The premise of the article is that local youth groups only seem to attract or "welcome" good kids. The same could be said for the church. That's why the majority of new people at churches are simply transferring from other churches in the area. Church goers on Sunday (stereotype): everyone puts on their happy faces, the kids look cute, and people are displaying their wealth of resources.  The teenager that is struggling with alcohol and being known as a "player" does not feel like he could step in the doors to the local youth group. The divorced couple feels like outcasts and unsettled because of the judgment that will happen from all the "good" people in the church. How can they connect? Not only is the world full of wounded and broken people, but when we strip down our facades, the church is full of broken people as well. Yep, the people of Five Stones are a little messed up too...

The Pharisees were good, had the right answers, knew the Law and were leaders in the community. They seemed to have the good life. However, Jesus often rebuked them and was found ministering to the "messy" people of the world. (Samaritan woman, the divorced, folks with diseases, the poor, other outcasts). Over and over again, we read about the disciples not understanding Jesus, abandoning Him, and even betraying Jesus. Yet, even in the midst of their confusion and brokeness, Jesus still waits for them with open arms. Arms of love. Arms of redemption. As the hands and feet of Christ, we should be a church where "No Perfect People are Allowed (John Burke's book)" and we have a come as you are heartbeat. That is my prayer for 5 Stones. We want to meet people where they are at. The broken, the poor, folks struggling with sin, raw and real life issues, and people that are tired of living with a facade of always being "good."

Is the church a place only for "good" people? Think about it. Be community. We are called to be Christ-like to all. Lord, continue to transform our community to be more like you and to reach those that you went after. Let 5 Stones be a place of love, forgiveness, redemption, and remind us to be Christ-like to the good, the bad, and everyone in-between...