Anybody welcomed….
A church that was down the street from the church I once pastored had a marquee message that said, “Anybody welcomed.” Everytime I saw it I wondered how that struck other people, especially people who may not have considered themselves worthy candidates for church membership.
I had a similar experience as I drove down the 99 today. The 99 is a major north/south California freeway. It’s lanes are generally jammed with trucks and cars going to cities up and down the San Joaquin Valley.
As I was returning to Merced, I saw once again a church that irritates me every time I look at it. Prominantly displayed on its highway-facing front was a vinyl sign that said, “Backsliders come home.”
Both signs had judgments built into them. If I thought of myself as an anybody or a backslider, I’d not feel particularly good about either of those signs. I’d know for sure that the people inside those buildings set themselves apart from me in status. Read what Rachel wrote about jerks.
How do you think Christians, unintentionally, combine judgment with well-meaning invitations?
July 24th, 2006 · 4 Comments
Categories: OA Stories
D.G. Hollums said
am July 24 2006 @ 9:14 pm
There is a small church on the same street as my house that always has those signs with quotes or plays on words in font of it. And in the year that I have lived here only twice have I seen a message that did not include some for of guilt or judgement, and one of those was to announce a church garage sale. On it currently is, “Your parents raised you in the church, why not come back and not disappoint them?” Amazing, truly amazing! I want to so badly to put a small envelope ont he sign that would ask them if they even realize that they are doing this…but alas…if god is calling me to it…then I just need to call up the pastor and buy him dinner. Take care and God bless!
Bruce Logue said
am July 24 2006 @ 9:35 pm
I have the same inclinations, D.G.
If you call up the pastor, let me know how it goes. I’d love to know.
Blessings to you as well.
Bruce
Peter Walker said
am July 24 2006 @ 10:27 pm
Bruce,
I witness a lot of “scoffing” from conservative Evangelicals whenever they notice or comment on churches that say something to the effect of “All are welcome,” because THEY KNOW that “all are welcome” REALLY means “GAYS ARE WELCOME”… and God-forbid anyone welcome homosexuals into the house of God.
Yikes, that sounds awfully harsh of me (toward those conservative Evangelicals). Forgive me. It’s just frustrating to see Christians overtly reject and decry what is good and true because they suspect a social or political agenda behind it that doesn’t sit well with their worldview.
Of COURSE all must be welcome in the Church.
Helen said
am July 25 2006 @ 5:41 am
This interestingly ties into Eliza’s post on CatE today also, on “Love and acceptance – are there conditions?”
I guess I don’t read ‘anybody welcome’ as insulting people by calling them ‘anybody’. I would see that as a fine message.
As for ‘backsliders welcome’ that seems oxymoronic for sure.
Along with what Peter, wrote, that it probably is inclusive-Christianese for “gays are welcome here”. But…so what? At least they are welcome there!