So what does a great and awesome welcome message look like in a church bulletin? In my opinon, it looks exactly like what the church “Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community” has in theirs.
I am the Executive Director of a Crisis Pregnancy Center. I've written a book about the effects abortion has on women and I'm in the process of writing my 2nd book about the effects abortion has on men. I speak all over the country bringing a message of faith called, "Getting Free From Your Past and Getting Real With God", I wrote a message to middle and high school students called, "Real Love Waits, I don't Until I Do", I speak in prisons, to women's groups, civic organizations, wherever I'm invited. I have a radio show that reaches people all over the world called "Real Talk" with Victoria on FOXSports Radio, I counsel men, women and young girls in crisis situations. So, I guess you could say I'm in full-time ministry. I'm blessed and privileged that God chooses to use someone like me. I am a worm who deserves to die, but He sees me differently and continues to use me to make a difference in the lives of others. I don't take that lightly. That's who I am.
Here's who I'm not. I'm not religious. It's offensive to me when someone says I am because of my involvement in churches. I have a relationship with Jesus Christ. And there's a huge difference between a relationship with Him and religion. Going to church every week won't make you a Christian just as much as sitting in a garage all day won't make you a car. Being a Christian and having a relationship with Christ doesn't mean I'm perfect, infallible or without flaws (trust me!). It also doesn't mean that Jesus is some guy I ignore. He has a significance in my life that I can't explain to you if you don't know Him or have it.
Please don't misunderstand my position. In no way, am I stating that as Christians, we should not hold one another accountable for our actions. Nor does my stand mean that I condone certain behaviors of others, even myself, for that matter. What I am saying is that Jesus came to heal the sick, He came to set the captive free, He came to make a difference by loving us and firmly calling us out of sin.
In my opinion, this bulletin is a great example of what I Jesus has tried for centuries to teach us. As I've already said, this doesn't mean we don't hold eachother accountable, but it does mean that He loves ALL of us, no matter where we are in life. And I truly believe Jesus doesn't care where we've been or what we've done, He cares about where we're going. Thank God He loves me just the way I am, but too much to leave me this way.
So, enjoy excerpt from the church bulletin. I sure did.
We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, yo no habla Ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-borns, skinny as a rail or could afford to lose a few pounds.
We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or like our pastor who can’t carry a note in a bucket. You’re welcome here if you’re “just browsing,” just woke up or just got out of jail. We don’t care if you’re more Catholic than the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joey’s Baptism.
We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you’re having problems or you’re down in the dumps or if you don’t like “organized religion,” we’ve been there too.
If you blew all your offering money at the dog track, you’re welcome here. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.
We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts … and you!
Bravo to this church! This should be made into a poster and hung in church offices around the world!
Maybe our own homes?
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