A Facebook post was shared with me this week that left me heartbroken. A friend is struggling with the battle between what the soul wants; to do good, and what the body wants; to just keep sinning, sinning, sinning… This internal conflict has escalated to the point my friend is struggling to find the courage to go back to church. And we don’t make it any easier for people to return to church when the first thing we say is, “It’s been a long time since I’ve see you here.”
I invite you to think for just a moment about what a better ‘Return to Church” greeting might sound like. Instead of the presumptuous, or even contemptuous, “Where have you been all this time?” accusation, what positive, encouraging, even (God forbid!) LOVING words could be spoken instead? Maybe think along the lines of “What would Jesus say,” to a returning church goer who has been gone a long time? Perhaps something similar to the father of the prodigal son? Perhaps a simple “Welcome,” for there really aren’t any additional words necessary. Or maybe a “Welcome home,” an “I still love you,” or a “Let’s go sit together.”
People filled with sinful guilt and baggage enter church doors all the time, whenever the doors are open. The question is, “Do we make them feel welcome, or just ashamed?” Lord willing, when my friend works up the courage to grace the doors of a church again, (s)he will feel God’s love in the room, and not human judgment. We are commanded to love and to encourage each other, not throw the book at sinners, because that would hurt each one of us sinners on the receiving end. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Come home, my friend, anytime. We’ll leave a light on for you.
Grace & Peace, Charles.