The church we attend, a big mega-church, recently commissioned a new pastor. We go to a mega-church because it seems bland and safe and we currently are not looking for controversy. Plus, we enjoy worshipping in a cavernous auditorium that seats 4,000 of our closest friends.
I was amazed at what he said since I don't recall ever hearing a pastor say this. The message was part 2 of a series on "What is the Church?" and this message was on authentic relationships. Prior to getting to the part where he was encouraging people to get involved, he said these words:
I know that people who've been burned or hurt or wounded in the church throughout the years by others can start to think that being alone beats being beat up. I'm sensitive to that. I really am.
Flannery O'Connor was once quoted as saying, "Sometimes you have to suffer as much from the church as you do for the church."
And, that is a sad, but true indictment on occasion.
So, if you have been hurt or used or mistreated by people in the church, I would like to publicly say to you that I am so, so sorry.
This ought to be the place where we get it right more times than not. The church ought to be the one family that makes sense.
I'm starting to like this guy. It's a simple message. Here's the link. It's the message entitled "You Are Welcome":
http://www.atgrace.com/archive