“Church is too huggy. They’re too happy. It’s just not real.” For someone entering a church for the first time, the atmosphere could seem quite different from the rest of the world. “They talk about blood, and that’s just gross. And altars and sacrifices are too weird.” Critics of the church have some valid points. Yes, the church is different. We seek and follow One who was different from the beginning. His ideas of servanthood and forgiveness went against the norm. Many of those church hugs acknowledge a deep friendship that grew when people stood with each other through painful circumstances. Many of those hugs are the kind that squeeze you and lift you off the ground because the degree of thankfulness is so immense. It’s a different version of war actually, and when the essence of life is at stake, a deep connection takes place for having persevered together. People might not understand. Visitors could wonder. And indeed we hope they will keep wondering about Jesus ... and visit the church again ... and seek Him at home ... and on the streets ... and with their every breath. The love of Jesus Christ is wonderfully different. If you’re a visitor, W E L C O M E !
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