My heart has been stirred in recent days over the great numbers of people who come and go at Ren. We've watched many come in and experience something really positive but then for whatever reason they drift back into their lifestyle that does not involve being part of a church community. It's been sort of breaking my heart recently. I think what happens is that people don't continue because they don't feel good enough. Or maybe they failed in some way and then feel ashamed to come back to the church. Or they just feel awkward about explaining what's been going on with them. Or just feel they don't fit.
It got me thinking about how many people think of church as a place where Christians who "have it together" are gathered. But I think a better way to think about the church is that it's like a hospital where the spiritually sick can come and find healing. Or as a home where people find rest, acceptance and support.
When I looked out at the crowd of about 500 folks from the neighborhood that came to the fest last Sunday in our parking lot my prayer was "Lord, how can we make these precious people feel at home at Ren?" I'm afraid that many of these dear ones just don't feel clean enough, dressed nice enough, cultured enough or whatever to be part of our church family. So I am praying that these mental barriers would come down and that many in the neighborhood and in the city would really become part of the Ren family. I am also praying for those who have drifted away from the family that they would come home. Pray with me.
–Pastor Scott A.