I apologize for the late posting today but it may be for a good reason. It may be that a new church was born last night (early this morning) in my kitchen. Whatever happens, we’re calling it Church of Sinners. The name was my oldest son’s contribution reminiscent of many of the ideas you sent in for a church marquee that would actually make people want to attend. We think Church of Sinners might have strong possibilities.
Much of what outsiders struggle with when it comes to church and Christianity is an imagined level of performance they assume is required of those on the inside. People think a certain behavior level is expected– a kind of incorrect thinking that keeps out the very people for whom the gospel of Jesus Christ exists. This is what keeps single moms away from church, even when they want to come and desperately need friendship and support. This is what keeps out gays and lesbians who are genuinely seeking God. This is what keeps out those who have had abortions, and the men who have caused them. Not to mention recovering addicts, ex-cons, the poor, the homeless, the mentally challenged. It’s starting to look like the crowd that followed Jesus around when he was here – lepers, the deranged, demon possessed, the blind, the lame, and the social misfits.
To many people church is synonymous to a country club, and this is why Church of Sinners carries such possibilities. Church of Sinners brings some people up and others down to where everyone is where they can enjoy the grace of God.
My favorite definition of the church comes from Robert Farrar Capon, Episcopal priest and student of the grace of God. In his understanding, the church is “a community of astonished hearts proclaiming the end of religion in Jesus” – “astonished,” because they know they don’t deserve to be in, and “the end of religion” because it is the end of all performance-based assumptions that have been built up around religion for years.
The word for anyone outside needs to be acceptance not performance. And if it’s sinners who hold the inside track on the church and the gospel of Jesus Christ, then all sinners are welcome. Who could feel bad about joining a group of other sinners? The only people who might not feel very good about joining the Church of Sinners would be those who don’t think they are that sinful, but I know for a fact, there are plenty of other places that would be more than happy to have good people like them.
John Fischer The Catch 
Is that sign for real? Sometimes I really do wonder what in the world someone is thinking. If it said “Sinners will be saved” that would have made much more sense. Oh boy…
Dead from the neck up I think
If I ever need a church name, I’m going with Laodicea Church. The letter to the church in Laodicea in Revelation is wonderful. Jesus tells the people they are lukewarm, wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. It’s a stinging rebuke, but Jesus says the rebuke comes because He loves them. He begs them to repent and welcome Him into their presence, so they can reign with Him.
For years I heard people teach that the Laodicean church was an apostate church. They usually compared it to a church that had totally abandoned the gospel. But the more I read the letter, the more it sounds like me. I’m often lukewarm. I usually think better of myself than I am, and I’m always in need of repentance so Jesus can heal my wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked self.
BUT JESUS LOVES ME. He stands at the door and knocks, always ready to respond to me with fellowship, healing and love.
I try not to think anymore about that sign but I just do not understand why or how a church could possibly justify a sign like that. Think about it, the parking lot should be constantly empty. The local towing yard should be full.
Church of Sinners is as good as Church of the Rejected because both are filled with people who are amazed by the Grace of God that they are insiders.
Reminds me of a song by Steve Taylor that I can relate to.”Jesus is for Losers”
Where;s the joy??? We are saved, for goodness’ sake! I’m a sinner, yes, but many, many churches focus on all the reasons that all of us are sinners. I’d be happy to try a church with a sign reading “Church of the Joyous Sinners”. Or to steal from Linda, and the great Steve Taylor, “Church of the Joyous Losers”.
Thank you, John! I aways wondered what would happen if we put a huge sign across our church entrance that read: “For Sinners Only”. How many people would refuse to go inside for fear that someone would think that they have sin in their life. If we can’t welcome the sinner with open arms and present the Truth in Grace, then we are just a glorified Country Club where we only allow those who are elite. Jesus repremanded those very strongly. I say, “Take me Jesus, for I have sinned, and fallen short…today… again. Thank you, for remission of sins.”
This reminds me of an retired minister in my church 40 years ago who would always say, “A church should not be a hotel for saints but a hospital for sinners!”
Thank you, Johnny Bravo!