Prodigal Church

I read an article the other day titled- Prodigal Friendly Church. It was very interesting and had some great insights, so I would like to share them, along w/ some of my own views w/ you. 

The familiar passage in Luke 15 talks about the prodigal son coming home. After being gone for a while and wasting all his money on a wild life style, his father welcomed him back w/ open arms. While they had a party, his older brother wouldn't even acknowledge him, in fact, he was mad. 

Jesus was telling this story to the religious people of His day. They were the picture of the older brother. That older brothers spirit is alive and well in churches today. If the prodigal bumped into the brother before he made it to the father, he probably wouldn't had made it into the house that day. I hope and pray that the church today can embrace rather than reject those prodigal that are still out there. 

Many prodigals still have issues that engulf them. Their tattoos, piercings and scars are important to them. I am sure if you took the time to ask, there is a story behind every tat. They may come in w/ the stench of last nights party. If they meet that older prodigal brother at the door, it will be hard for them to experience the unconditional love of Christ. 

Here are a few steps to welcoming prodigals and outsiders into the church: 

1. Appreciate diversity, from race to clothing to hairstyles. We do not all have to look alike to be a Christ follower. Don't stare. The church should be made up of all races nationalities and types of people. The sooner we embrace that philosophy, the sooner God will send us prodigals and outsiders. 

2. Respect the spiritual journey of every person in the room. Remember, some plant, some water, some reap the harvest. Create an environment where prodigals and outsiders are safe to ask questions, share their opinions and thoughts. We are all at different places in our journey w/ God.

3. Trust the holy Spirit to lead people to a lifestyle change. Let God renew and clean. Do not be judgmental and throw your convictions on them. I would not be where I am now if this had happened to me. People in my life showed unconditional love to me and let God work in His timing. 

4. Understand the difference between absolutes-cultural expectations-preferences. As Christians, we try to make our preferences into absolutes. Do not mix the two. There are biblical absolutes, stick w/ them. There are personal preferences (style, haircuts, clothes and so on) God made us all so unique. This pressure is hard on outsiders and prodigals, get out of your own walls. 

5. Pray that there will be an authentic move in people in every church service you have. We have something the world can never offer, the Holy Spirit. Never stop offering that to them!

Do you have a prodigal story? Leave me a comment at www.ryancook.net, there is a comment section at the bottom of each blog.

-Peace