OK, I am getting pushed a little on this one. Some are asking if TLC really is a place “where everybody’s welcome.” Some are asking if we should be a place “where everybody’s welcome.” So what do we mean when we use that catchy phrase? And do we mean it?
I find it interesting that most of the push back is from Christians outside of the TLC community. We have been accused of abandoning the orthodox beliefs of Christianity. I have been accused of leading people astray just to fill the pews. One woman got so mad at me on the phone that she said, “If you keep this up all of the non-Christians will be in your church.” “Is that a bad thing?” I asked. She hung up on me.
What if a Jew wanted to come to TLC, would they be welcome? Let’s see…Jesus was a Jew. What if a Muslim wanted to come to TLC, would they be welcome? What is it about “everyone welcome” that is so hard for us to understand?
But what if known sinners—you know, the kind of sinner that I don’t like—came to TLC, would they be welcome? What if a purple-haired, tattoo-laden, skate-boarding homeless person came to TLC, would they be welcome? What if Caitlyn Jenner and Donald Trump came to TLC together?
Either everyone is welcome or everyone will be excluded. You may remember that Jesus got in trouble for spending time with prostitutes, tax collectors, and known sinners. Jesus had a gentle touch for every down-on-their-luck bum and caught-in-the-act sinner.
It should be noted that Jesus was outraged at the behavior of the religious people. The religious people were offended at God’s grace, at stories about prodigal sons, at forgiveness given too easily, and at the company that Jesus was keeping. If Jesus kept this up, then soon all of the non-religious folks, the non-Jews and the non-Christians would be in church. Hmmmm…kinda makes you think, does it not?
So I have been getting some push back. And here is my response: When TLC is no longer the place “where everybody’s welcome” then it will no longer be the church of Jesus. That would be a sign for me that it was time to move on. This is a hill that I would die on.
Either all are welcome or all will be excluded.
“Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the Scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ ” –Luke 15:1-2
My love to you!
