Welcoming in Jesus Name

At a previous church where I served, we had a contemporary worship service. At some point, our worship committee brought up the idea of a dress code for our band. And, as a part of that dress code, they wanted to make sure that our band members did not show any tattoos or piercings. 

In theory, I was okay with the dress code. I wanted our band to look respectable. But our session at that time was thinking about the neighborhood, really the neighborhood of the church. So many of the young adults there were covered in tattoos and piercings – the very people we wanted to serve. 

At that session meeting, one of the elders said, “You know, my heart is always with that young adult who God leads in here on a Sunday morning. When they walk through these doors and look around, we want them to feel like they fit in, like they belong. And yes it might make some of us uncomfortable. But really, it’s not all about us, is it?”

And then I think about Dru, our current youth minister. What Dru tells me is that with many of the younger generations, it’s not that they stopped going to church, it’s that many of them never started going in the first place. And many of the kids in our own youth group have not felt welcome in other churches. Some of them have not been comfortable going to church at all. And here is Dru and members of our church, telling them they are loved and welcome – just as they are.

Over the past several days, we reflected on John 12:21, where some outsiders find the disciple Phillip and say, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

Again, I can’t think of a time when the world has needed Jesus more than right now… I can’t think of a time when the world has needed us more than right now.

They would see Jesus. 

May they see him in you, and in me.

Let us pray: God of Hope, meet us today at the deepest point of our need. Heal us where we need healing. Comfort us where we need comfort. Challenge us where we need to be challenged. And then use us as instruments of your love and grace, that the world might see Jesus, through us. Amen.