You DON'T Have To Be Perfect To Go To Church.
This year, I've attended worship not as Pastor but as a participant. While I have missed preaching I have also enjoyed experiencing worship from a different perspective.
There are lots of things I have noticed as I've visited different worship services. One of those is the importance of greeting people and making them feel welcome. It's very important to welcome people warmly.
But there is another I've noticed that honestly, burdens me. Now, to understand this, imagine you are going to church on the typical Sunday in the typical church.
First of all, not everyone who attends worship has their act together. You know; nice clothes, good kids, good job, articulate, etc.. Nope. Not everyone is like that.
Some folks are hurting. Some are having marital problems. Some are depressed. Some are struggling financially. Some have just flat out made mistakes... there ain't no other way to put it.. they've made mistakes. Ok, so, if your life is a wreck and you are a wreck you go to church to find Jesus... to experience love and grace.
Only problem is, at church we have a tendency to DISCOURAGE people from being transparent. We have a tendency to judge people if their lives aren't together. Now think about that. I have. I have thought about it a lot.
Why do we do this? I mean, of all places, people ought to be able to go to church and find love and grace. The church is about Jesus, isn't it? Last time I checked, it was. And Jesus did minister to all kinds of people, didn't He? Yep, He did. Yet, in our modern day, we seem to think if a person doesn't have their act together, they shouldn't come to church.
Now, someone will say "Oh no, we aren't like that."
Oh yes we are!
As I visit worship services it's almost like we put on our Sunday smile and tell people "Hi, how are you.. Good... don't tell me your problems because that isn't in the skit today... Just take a bulletin and keep going now, ok? If you have problems call a counselor this week, but don't tell me."
Now, I know that worship can't become a therapy session. I understand that. But, we Christians need to be more open. We badly need to understand that everyone out there DOES NOT have their act together.
Yet, even though their act isn't together, they should be welcome in any church.
I've thought about the judging thing for years. I've noticed that, for some reason, for many Christians, in an attempt to become more like Jesus they become more judgmental. Jesus and being judgmental are contradictions. If you want to be like Jesus, help someone. Love someone. Encourage someone. Take your coat and tie off, roll your sleeves up, sit down with someone and encourage them.
It is my opinion and observation that in many cases it's easier to be transparent with a non-Christian or a marginal Christian than a committed Christian. I think it's because committed Christians have a tendency to judge too quickly.
Folks, you don't have to be PERFECT to go to church. We weren't perfect either before we became Christians.
If you want to be more like Jesus, instead of becoming more judgmental, become more loving and caring and understand that not everyone has their act together.
In John 8 a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought to Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to stone her. They waited and waited for Jesus reply. They expected a stern, judgmental response.
Instead, Jesus softly said "He who is without sin, cast the first stone." Jesus waited a while and then looked up. All of the woman's accusers were gone.
Jesus told the woman "Go and sin no more."
This week, this Sunday, when someone approaches you who does not have their act together, instead of judging them, love them... like Jesus did.
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