“And such were some of you.”
May 2025
Imagine you decide to go to church for the first time in over 20 years. When you enter and sit down you are unsure if you fit in. Everyone looks so nice and clean, and you assume they must all be morally good and decent people. The Pastor starts with a prayer followed by a song and then the offering. Before the plate is passed, they say, “If you feel blessed and grateful please give money for the ministry of the church and our charity work.” The Pastor then adds, “If you come today and are broke or in need financially, take some of the cash out of the offering plate with our blessings.” You are shocked and not sure what to think.
During the sermon, the preacher reads a few texts from scriptures that refer to people’s behavior. The list includes immorality, indecency, idolatry, feuds, jealousy, bad temper, factions, envy, drunkenness, greed, unethical behavior. And after the litany of such behavior they hear the verse, “And such were some of you” (1 Cor 6:11). The text continues to remind us that this was before you felt the love and mercy of God.
Then the Pastor goes further. He turns to the entire congregation and says, “If in your past you were involved in struggles with or actions listed in these verses, please stand up.” Most of the congregation stands up. Again, the visitor is shocked. This does not fit with their initial assumptions about the church.
The stories above are true and I knew the Pastor of that church. Visitors immediately knew two things: this church cares for those in need and the church consists of forgiven-but-not-perfect people.
John Stott, former Anglican chaplain to the Queen of England, said, “The church is the one institution founded for those who do not belong.” Approximately 90% of people in BC do not go to church and may find this story compelling. Maybe if we witnessed such actions when we visited a church for the first time, we might be more inclined to return, and to invite others we know to join us.
Pope Francis said the Church is like “a field hospital” that serves those in need. We are all part of the walking wounded of humanity. And the church offers a home to all of us, both visitors and regulars alike.
Blessings,
Tom
PS: Join us at the prayer breakfast this year! Click to go to this year's BC Leadership Prayer Breakfast info.
