A place of reflection and focus for Bellevue Community Church. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:17).
There is a little Free Will Baptist church on Highway 96 very near my house, and every week I can imagine the turmoil or the glee that affects whoever it is directing how the church sign must read.
EVERYONE WELCOME
TO CURE WHAT AILS YOU
INQUIRE WITHIN
J.C., MD
posted by Jared @ 1:56 PM
4 comments
I'm the husband of Becky, the father of Macy and Grace, a writer of books, and the pastor of a great church. Most importantly, I am a follower of Jesus.
My passion is for the spread of gospel wakefulness in the evangelical church.
Visit me online at www.jaredcwilson.com.
E-mail me at:
Jared AT gospeldrivenchurch DOT com
My books Your Jesus is Too Safe, Abide, and Gospel Wakefulness are available now.
7 Daily Sins is forthcoming from Threads.
The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor (especially when I'm wrong or when I'm being an idiot).
4 Comments:
I really like Everyone Welcome a lot better.
If I really had to choose between the two... or be the person making the decision... I would choose EVERYONE WELCOME....
Why? I think it is important that as a church/christians that we have open arms for everyone. First before pre-judging them with some ailment we believe they have. But Everyone Welcome opens the door to some stuff that some may very well find awkward and even objectionable.... like a homeless person sitting in a pew next to you or I..... but the I believe the Gospel starts at street level.... not in some ivory tower with steps too steep for some to climb..... with too many social obstacles.... preventing them from feeling like they can call God's house their home.... because in fact, it appears that it's an infirmary or a hospital.... if you are told there's a doctor in the house....
And, when you first immediately let everyone know that they need a cure for what ails them.... it's a bit condescending.... talking down almost.... even thought the intent might even be to be clever or humorous.... a statement is being made that seems... borderline condemnation.... in an off-handed way....
And, J.C., MD surely says that Jesus is able to heal.... but it limits Him.... giving the impression that He is like a doctor of medicine.... a very poor description of His Fullness is given.... to me, there's just something wrong in giving him a worldly title.... like MD.... although I have heard Jesus called the Great Physician... and other similar things....
So, given that it's a free will baptist church.... I guess after reading the sign relegating Jesus to an MD.... one does have the free will to drive right on by..... zoom zoom zoom.... zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom.... in one's Mazda.... : -)
Reading a sign that said.... EVERYONE WELCOME.... would probably make me more inclined to try and find a parking place....
Just tell me it wasn't NEON....
C. Evan Leonard
I saw my all time favorite church sign on a 104 degree July day in Phoenix, Arizona and all it said was "You think it's hot here...."
"Everyone Welcome" is a better approach and would win my vote of the two signs mentioned.
When I was younger, and the world had more black and white than gray, I might have said differently. But, now that I know I am just another sinner daily washed clean by the blood of Christ, I think EVERYONE WELCOME, NO QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED.
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