I have heard it said in my old church "We don't want people like that in our church". A group of people have gotten together to form a church where people will be welcome no matter what their problems may be. Didn't Jesus go to the leper's and the sick and out among the masses? Doesn't every one deserve the right to worship even when they have strayed? We feel that this is when people need church and knowledge of God more than ever. What do you think?
2006-08-17 16:31:51 · 71 answers · asked by Joshua'sPond 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
1Co 6:9 Don’t you know that evil people will not receive God’s kingdom? Don’t be fooled. Those who commit sexual sins will not receive the kingdom. Neither will those who worship statues of gods or commit adultery. Neither will men who are prostitutes or who commit homosexual acts.
1Co 6:10 Neither will thieves or those who always want more and more. Neither will those who are often drunk or tell lies or cheat. People who live like that will not receive God’s kingdom.
1Co 6:11 Some of you used to do those things. But your sins were washed away. You were made holy. You were made right with God. All of that was done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
...Some of you used to do those things
2006-08-17 16:37:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would like to hope ours would.
The church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners.
If they stumbled in completely faced or something, disrupting the worship, that may be another matter.
There was a church in California, along the coast, that attracted it's share of the rag tag youth of the area. Some of the more stoic membership commented on how these kids would likely soil the nice new carpet.
The pastor heard of this and promptly had the carpet pulled up and they worshiped on hard wood floors.
God bless that guy.
2006-08-17 16:47:42 · answer #2 · answered by NickofTyme 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you wonder why people turn against religion than the church you went to before is a perfect example. I quit going to church when I discovered that religions play politics just as laymen do, the biggest donater to the basket gets the most attention, people fight to be the chairman/woman of church groups, it is silly to watch people in church try to outdo each other in donations, dress, snobbery, talking to the preacher, etc. Worship should be for the masses not the chosen few, so I just don't go to church anymore for I am part of the masses.
Organized religion is a bunch of bunk!!!
The worst are the TV evangelists, my God how can people fall for their BS???
The religious right has gotten out of hand and has taken too much control of political opinion, there has to be a separation of church and state.
Sorry, I am rambling, I get like this when topics tend to piss me off and religion and stupidity tend to do that.
2006-08-17 16:40:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a church near where I live that is mainly just outeach for homeless, and addicts...most are recovering, or trying to be and I think it is great!
But my main issue was that I was looking for a "family" themed church that I could take my kids to. It is because of my children that I have made some decisions that I wouldn't have made if it was just me and/or my husband. We still havethe kids volunteer once in awhile to help out at shelters, etc. But for a regular church I wanted something that was geared for families.
If a recovering addict came to my church, I would accept him. If he came while he was drunk or high, then I think he needs to go home, because he is not in his right mind to remember or know what he's doing anyway. If he is in a bad way or suicidal, then a church elder should take him in a private room and help him, pray with him...then invite him back when he is sober.
2006-08-17 16:44:05 · answer #4 · answered by gracefully_saved 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be upset of I attended a church that didn't have drunks and addicts coming to it.
Church is a hospital not a country club. If there are no sick people in the hospital then it's being misused.
You are right, Jesus said that he didn't come to call the righteous, but rather the sinners to repentance.
2006-08-17 16:37:17 · answer #5 · answered by edaily777 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus also ate with tax collectors and prostitutes. Jesus went to those who needed him most. They flocked to him. So if you have alcoholics and drug addicts in your church, they recognize that something is missing, and they want more. That is why I don't believe in churches that practice "shunning". That's just wrong. When someone has "sinned" and comes to a church, that is when they need others to gather around them, give them strength, support them spiritually, pray with them and for them. Jesus also said something to the affect "if you go to a town and are not accepted there, go out, and shake the dust from your sandals, and go to the next." The same applies to churches like that. How can they call themselves a "church" which is the body of Christ? "Christian" means "Christlike", and since that is not a Christ like attitude, or what he would say, then they are obviously not Christian. I hope you walked right out of that "holier than thou " church....and wiped the dust from your shoes. Go to the next, until you find a good church.
2006-08-17 16:57:57 · answer #6 · answered by vspaulo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good Question. When Jesus was eating with Tax Collectors, prostitutes, etc the Pharisees slammed him. He said "It is not the well that need a physician, but the sick" Frankly, the "good people" think they are often good enough, but those who have totally sinful lives know it and are often more ready to kneel for forgiveness. I think it was CT Studd who said, I don't want a pulpit and a nice church bell, give me a mission within a yard of Hell. If you have the sinners coming and listening, the that is what you need.
2006-08-17 17:16:44 · answer #7 · answered by Sandra v 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exactly what church is for! Jesus came to save the world not to condemn the world, we shouldn't either. I have attended and ministered at churches whose purpose is to reach the ones that society has left behind.
Yes they may not be dressed beautiful, or have the finest car, or the most tithe, but Jesus says, What you do for the least of these you do for me.
Jesus meets us where we are at, smelling like the pigs that we have been rutting with, ready to put a ring on our finger, and a coat on our back. preparing a table before us.
I feel so sorry for any congregation that has gotten so full of itself to say no drunks or drug addicts... we have all fallen short of the glory of God. They are accountable for the lost souls that they are turning away. What if they have to be there when it is time to throw one of those lost people in the pit, while they are safe?
sorry , this is my soapbox, there are so many hungering for Christ, while so many are comfy on their pews....
be blessed in Jesus
2006-08-17 16:44:20 · answer #8 · answered by 2ndchhapteracts 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are the people that need the message of hope and compassion that the church can give. Isn't the purpose of the church to spread the Good News of salvation through faith and the grace of God? the message needs to passed on to new hearers, not shared within the same community.
2006-08-17 16:45:37 · answer #9 · answered by Sally Ann 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No man is righteous, no not one. . .
Their lips pay me service, but their hearts are far from me . . .
These are the words of God concerning ALL mankind, even drunks and drug addicts.
The pastor of your old church is dead wrong and you are right. Besides, what good -- or what fun -- is a sterile "I've never done anything wrong" kind of church? What testimony does it offer to anyone when no one has struggled with the hairy, ugly stuff and so therefore has never overcome anything? What can they offer but judgement?
Go find a new church.
2006-08-17 16:40:51 · answer #10 · answered by Rebecca 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋