I saw a Facebook post recently re-shared by a friend I admire. You will need to read it all the way through to get the gist of it. Since it was a public post, here’s some of it:

“The pastor says they sit front and center. The gay boys. Sometimes they hold hands. And some folks have said he should address the issue. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.

And then there’s the man who sneaks in the back door. Fresh off the street. After the service starts. And leaves before altar call. The people sitting close complain about how bad he smells. Of beer and smoke and sweat. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.

And then there’s the young mama who wears dirty clothes and lets her four children come in and eat all the donuts and drink all the watered-down juice. Some church staff say they ‘…eat like little pigs.’ …While the Mama just stands there and lets them. And the elders say something must be done and said. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.”

By now, you get the point. This church has a collection of what might seem like spiritual misfits. If we are honest souls, all of us qualify for that description to some degree. We only “fit” together because Jesus called us to join Him by following.

The writer of this post says the pastor is good, holy, just, and wants to do the right thing. He wants to “look like Jesus” and asks for thoughts on how. The post writer suggests,

“Start with this and say it louder than any other words: ‘Welcome to Church. This is a place of love and hope and safety and forgiveness. We will be food for the hungry. Living water for the thirsty. We are so glad you are here. You are invited. You are loved. Come on in—we’ve been waiting on you…We are the church.’”

Here’s his next advice:

“May we blow the dust of religion out of our souls and choose affection instead. May our words and actions and reactions be a sanctuary for all. Jesus broke many laws to love. So, Jesus, be our voice.”

Personally, I don’t think the person behind this Facebook post really gets the full story. It is true the Church must be a welcoming place for all of us who arrive as misfits. Whose lives are often misguided and out of place. But are we simply to stay in that state?

The Apostle Paul knew quite well that the Gospel changes people. In fact, repentance itself is about transformation. We move from our past of being selfish, unloving souls to caring about others ahead of ourselves.

This, in turn, causes us to realize that our transformation helps to make worship better for others. We clean up so we don’t offend those sitting around us. We don’t allow our kids to take all the donuts. Even the kids can learn to share! And when the pastor preaches on Romans 1, realize he’s being loving enough to tell the truth about “gay lifestyles.”

Quoting the apostle himself, Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (NIV)

A bit later he adds several thoughts about love in action, saying “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Vss 9-10, NIV)

I believe Paul is calling the Church to love people in a way that helps them live life better. That’s why we offer courses in hospitality, counseling, spiritual growth, etc. Changed people help change lives. We help others move forward in a spirit of tenderness and grace.

If that pastor really doesn’t know what to do or what to say, perhaps he should spend some time at a gospel rescue mission. They welcome the dirty and the downtrodden; give them meals, a bed, and a shower. But also, a message of transformation.

The Gospel offers new life! And much more. Even Jesus washed feet.