You'll notice that's the name of this blog - Scandalous. I chose that because it seems that a postcard that we sent out last week in our "Church for the Rest of Us" campaign has become just that -scandalous. If you haven't seen the picture on the card, you can see it here.
I know many of you who are part of our church have had people talk to you about this card. We have had phone calls at the church about these "Church for the rest of us" cards. Here’s what you should know - as far as reaching people who are unconnected to Christ and His church, these cards have been very effective. I could tell you story after story of people who have understood that what these cards are offering is - a place of grace. See, once you flip the cards over, this is what is catching their eye:
- "Church for the rest of us...normal people. Church is for perfect people with perfect lives, relationships and habits. Right? Is there a place for us who are more normal? People with normal lives that get off track, normal kids who mess up and normal habits and relationships that get out of hand. Community Christian is a CHURCH FOR THE REST OF US. A place where you can be yourself and find others like you. People trying to find love, wisdom and grace for becoming what God wants us to be."
It's the message of grace that is causing the scandal. The idea that a church would say that two guys who drink a beer and eat popcorn in their living room would be welcomed and even wanted at church is scandalous. We've had people say that we are promoting drinking by saying that people who drink beer are normal. That we should be condemning that lifestyle. You know, people being upset by displays of grace for people who "don't fit the religious mold isn't new." There was a guy a while back that showed grace to people who liked to drink and have parties and the most religious people of his generation called him names. Eventually, it was the religious people that were so upset with him that they held a mock trial and Jesus was crucified. We are not close to being as full of grace as He is but I count it an honor to receive a little bit of scorn for the scandal of grace.
Let me a little coaching for what to say when your Christian friends are upset by the fact that we would send out this scandalous card.
1. Don't be defensive, be gracious. Often there is a misunderstanding that accepting people means that you are condoning their behavior. You can love a person without agreeing with all their behavior. Look how some of you love me.
2. Tell them that all we are saying is that guys like the two pictured on that card are welcome at our church. We know that often people who drink feel like they have to cover that up when they come to church. We want people to know that's not the case at CCC. You are welcome. I feel like I have to add here, just so all of you are clear, the Bible doesn't say drinking is a sin. Okay? And we aren't going to offer them a beer in the foyer any more than we were going to offer people motorcycles when we sent out the card with the motorcycle rider on it
3. Be confident. When we show grace toward people who are unconnected to Christ and His Church, we are standing with our Savior. It will often upset people who already go to church. I hate to say it but the truth is that, often in America, one of the least likely places you will find grace is at church. I hope we always are on the side of being scandalous because of grace.
18 comments:
I cannot believe this generated
so much scandal. When I got your email this afternoon I thought I missed the card. But I did get it
I just didn't think anything of it.
I was watching something about Mental illness on TV the other day and the wife leaned on her prayer group and church for help and they abandoned her! This happens way too much in America in my opinion.
I think that people forget that Jesus is the savior for all mankind! Not just the fine upstanding people but the thieves, murderers, and sinners!
Good blog Ed!
-Ian
AMEN to that ED!
It will take innovative ways like the "church for the rest of us" cards to reach the 60,000 unconnected folks in Coweta County. I hope CCC is always in the forefront of providing grace and a welcoming place for everyone to find Christ and grow in devotion to Him!
Way to go, Ed!
Word.
When Jesus was walking around on the earth, He created a ton of scandal. He was ridiculed and rejected by the so called religious scholars of His day. I am pretty sure that this was shared at CCC but maybe not. Satan is constantly attacking those who are doing God's work and those who are reaching people for God. To me, this is just one of those attacks. If it means, that we are doing what God left us here to do, attack on. Our God is much bigger than any "scandalous" postcard. My last thought is this - let people talk about it. Maybe they will share the "scandal" with someone who didn't get a postcard but needs to hear the word of God. God is doing mighty things in our church which cannot be stopped by negative comments from a few people. He will use those comments to bring Himself glory.
Shoot, and I was looking forward to beer in the foyer...
I agree with the comments about creating a little commotion. Let people talk about it, maybe it will lead someone to God who feels like an outsider. And I guarantee you that there are at least two guys in the 60,000 that drink beer and eat popcorn! Well, that drink beer, anyway.
I've heard the statement, "The Church is the only group that kills their wounded." I've found this to be very true.
I had gone to church every time the door was opened for the first 30 something years of my life. I was very involved and hosted many things in my home, planned outings for my group, was choir director, etc.
I was the epitome of a great christian until my divorce. Even though this divorce was done for biblical reasons, I was still outcast in many eyes in the very traditional church I attended. I then moved to a more contemporary church where I thought the people had a more realistic view of life. Everything was going great, I got very involved in the singles groups. Then I started dating! God forbid!
I got a ton of "be careful", "do you think this guy is a stronger christian than you are", all kinds of judgments and character disections, etc. He was not the straight laced, bible toting type they wanted me to have, that's true, but I was able to see past that. He is a christian, just a hurt one - more like I am now.
I was hosting a community group at the time. Not long after this the leader was deployed to Iraq and the group had to stop. I never received a call, no thank yous for having the group at my house, nothing from the singles pastor, really nothing. I was hurt, so didn't go back.
It's been years now since I've been to church much at all. Everytime I think about going, I dread the interrogation and judgments so I don't go. I've decided that I can love God and not have to put up with God's people. I do miss the fellowship, but couldn't stand being a hypocrit - hiding that I'm divorced, hiding that I'm not married to the man beside me, etc. If they can't love me as I am, I can go to the local dances and concerts and find people who will.
People, even christian people, are normal. They have trouble with life decisions. They have problems that sometimes they had no control over.
This card and the reasoning behind it reached me. I may just come to your service. It sounds like you may be my kind of pastor. My only reservation is: I wonder if you're my kind of church!
This is absolutely fabulous!!!!!!! It's about TIME!!!!!!!!
In response to the "anonymous" comment from the person hurt by the church. I feel your pain! I quit going to church for 12 years for the same reasons! I went to Community Christian about 4 years ago and I can tell you THIS IS a wonderful church! I love it and can't wait to go every Sunday! The messages are memorable and the people....well they aren't perfect, but they are very loving and kind. Community Christian is helping to teach people to be a different kind of Christian. One you can be proud of. One who does not judge, but is welcoming. Come as you are, my dear and see for yourself! I look forward to hopefully meeting you one day.
Big hugs,
Anonymous,
Someone beat me to the punch but I just had to respond anyway. Sorry Ed - we have kind of taken over your blog. Then again, you knew that would happen, didn't you??
Your story and mine are very similiar. I was raised in church; there every time the door was open. When I met my soon to be husband, he was unchurched and soon began attending with me. From the start, our marriage had struggles. When we turned to the church for help (the same church that married us), precious little was given. Eventually, our marriage ended with three little children and a divorce. I tried to continue going to church but felt like an outcast and after a while, stopped going.
A few months later, I received a postcard from Community Christian and decided to try it out. We have been there ever since.
Here's the thing- when I first went to CCC, I was scared, alone, spiritually and mentally broken. I think I cried from the moment I walked in the door until the time I left. Do you know what happened? Strangers put their arms around me and loved on me. They didn't ask questions nor did they condemn me. One of my son's was frightened to go into his classroom. One of the staff stopped what he was doing, came over to my son, encouraged him, and took him into the room. Later that week, that same staff member wrote my son a note telling him how proud he was of him and how hard it is to go to a new place but that Jesus would always be with him. My son still has that note (Steve Clark - you rock!) and reads it at least once a week.
God doesn't expect us to come to Him with all of our junk sorted out. He wants us to come to Him just as we are. Over time, God has healed me and relieved me of my burdens. Bad habits that I had gone, and I am working on others with His help. None of this happened because someone yelled at me from a pulpit and told me I was going to Hell if I didn't stop. It's all because of God's amazing love, which you can feel the minute you step in the door, which is better than beer if you ask me! All anyone at CCC will ever ask you to do is be honest with yourself and with each other. God will take care of the rest. He wants to. He's the miracle man. If He can do it in my life, He can do it for anyone.
Please come. Just one Sunday. I promise you won't regret it. If you are looking for a church that will love you and will help you become the best that you can be in Christ, I believe it is the church for you. I know you have read it but I will just say it again: there are three services - 9:00, 10:30, and noon (which we affectionately call the nooner). It really will change your life!
Feel free to take over. I love to hear your stories more than reading the stuff I write.
Amen!!!! You go, Ed!!!!
As far as I know the Bible does not state that drinking is a sin as long as one does not drink to drunkedness, However the Bible does state that if something bothers one of your brothers and or sisters the something should not tolerated. One of the things that Christianity teaches is a new way of thinking and conducting ourselves as Jesus would. Church is for everyone to learn and to grow with Jesus, and should be aligned with proper doctrine from the Bible, opinions and the what I believe is true should be left alone and the truth from the Bible is the only thing that does matter both here and in eternity. The statement about Church for the rest of us is bogus because Church is for all of us the righteous and the un-righteous. As a fellow Christian I was not happy to see the mailer in my mailbox and will not condone drinking as your church does. I know the church does condone it because I saw several members of your motorcycle group drinking in a Mexican rest. in downtown Newnan. I was actually appalled by their behavior in public and could only wonder what others may have thought if the knew that these people were reps. of Community Christian Church. what standards do we set for others? Please post this
There are so many Anonymous on the blog I'll have to address my comments specifically. In response to "Anonymous who saw some of the motorcycle group drinking in a Mexican Rest." First, thanks for joining the discussion since I take it you don't attend CCC. Second, you say that drinking isn't a sin. I agree. You then say that if know that a brother thinks drinking is wrong we shouldn't do it. I'm guessing you are referring to Paul's discussion of meat sacrificed to idols in Corinthians. But all of those passages assume that first I know you are offended by me drinking and that somehow my drinking would lead you to drink. Paul also says in Romans 14 that people who think eating meat is wrong shouldn't judge those who think it's okay and the other way around. Here are the verses "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. " It appears that these kinds of issues (what we eat and drink) should not be issues that separate brother and sisters in Christ.
You say that you KNOW CCC condones drinking. As far as I know CCC doesn't have any stated position on drinking. I have attended the membership class and from what I remember they said these kinds of issues that are "grey" in nature are areas we should show people who disagree with us love. I attend CCC and don't drink. I have friends who attend who do. That's the way it should be.
What it all comes down too, is living as Jesus did,follwing his ways and loving one another as he loves us.
Seems this whole
blog thing is all about
ed. I challange you to
say someting without talking
about yourself.
"anonymous" you seem to indicate that there is something wrong with the blog being about Ed. It's his blog. You did realize that didn't you. That's what a person does on their blog. Feel free Ed to write about whatever you want.
I believe Grace is scandalous to many traditional-minded Christians because it rocks the boat and threatens sacred cows. It makes us focus on what's really important instead of narrowly focusing on behavior that keeps us acceptable to a small group of like-minded people. The stir caused by the Beer Guys mailer is a great example. The point is to reach people with God’s love and give them the opportunity to come into a relationship with God. What critics see is the beer, which is unacceptable in certain circles, and the real point of the mailer is lost. An example of this that comes to mind (I’ll understand if you edit or don’t publish this, Ed) is a quote from Dr. Tony Campolo, a Christian leader who is known for rocking the boat in the traditional Christian church. He was speaking on the complacency and apathy of the church toward the rest of the world, and is quoted as saying: "I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night." Sorry if that offended anyone, but I just love that quote and wanted to share. Keep rocking the boat in order to spread the truth about God’s love!!
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