LovebirdsFlying
My husband drew this cartoon of me.
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I'm not sure what to make of this modern-day parable, that came in to my husband's e-mail, and he shared it with me.
The question that entered my mind after reading this was not, as the author probably intended, "Would I run, or would I stay?" It was, "What's wrong with this picture?" The story presumes that church is for perfect people, a place where "hypocrites" don't belong, a place only fit for those who have no need of repentance. I say that church is not meant to be a gathering of the perfect. The bigger the sinner, the MORE they belong in church, to hear the word of God and have a chance to repent of their sin. How effective would a church be, if sinners and hypocrites never came, but only those who were "good enough" to be there? What do you think?
One Sunday morning during service, a 2,000-member congregation was surprised to see two men enter, both covered head to toe in black, and carrying submachine guns. One of the men proclaimed, "Anyone willing to take a bullet for Christ, remain right where you are." Immediately the choir fled, the deacons fled, and most of the congregation fled. Out of the 2,000, there remained only 20. The man who had spoken took off his hood. He then looked at the preacher and said, "OK, Pastor, I got rid of all the hypocrites. You may now begin your service. Have a nice day." And then the two men turned and walked out.
The question that entered my mind after reading this was not, as the author probably intended, "Would I run, or would I stay?" It was, "What's wrong with this picture?" The story presumes that church is for perfect people, a place where "hypocrites" don't belong, a place only fit for those who have no need of repentance. I say that church is not meant to be a gathering of the perfect. The bigger the sinner, the MORE they belong in church, to hear the word of God and have a chance to repent of their sin. How effective would a church be, if sinners and hypocrites never came, but only those who were "good enough" to be there? What do you think?