For all our city workers:

When was the last time you had an honest look at life? Sometimes the sheer busyness of life stops us from stepping back to reflect on our lives and where they are going.

Why not join us as we step off the treadmill for a moment with three opportunities for an honest look at life.

Tuesday 6th March – “Ground hog day.”

Wednesday 7th March – “Why is there never quite enough money?”

Thursday 8th March – “The level playing field and why we’ll all be under it.”

Time: 12:30-1:15pm

Venue: Premier Room, Berkley’s on Ann, Corner of Edward and Ann St, Brisbane CBD

Speaker: Al Stewart

There is no cost for this event. Our speaker Alan Stewart will give a presentation exploring ideas the book of Ecclesiastes from the Bible. Why the book of Ecclesiastes? It is like the minority report of the Bible. It takes a long hard look at life and asks the bigger questions. There will be an opportunity for discussion and comments.

Register your interest here and we’ll send you a reminder email the week before and on the days of the series.

“What would people say about your church? Is it the place to come and to ‘get well’? Or do you need to ‘get well’ to come?”

I read these questions in a magazine article written by a pastor called John Burke. They were questions that really made me think. As I read that above statement, it reminded me of a guy who met and then invited a despondent prostitute to his church. Her reply was: “I already feel bad about myself, why should I go to church and have people make me feel worse?”

When I heard that I felt ashamed. I felt ashamed for when I’ve given the impression that I’m in a state of ‘moral superiority’ in comparison to their ‘self-indulgent sin’. I felt ashamed for when my response to people has been judgmentalism instead of grace. I’ve felt ashamed for reenacting the Pharisee when he said “God, I thank you that I’m not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” (Luke 18:11-13)

When it’s all said and done, Christians are simply people who have said to God: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). For it is only the person who seeks God’s grace and forgiveness who is justified in Jesus’ eyes (Luke 18:14).

So, what you’ll find at 5:17 church is a church that is full of ‘far from perfect people’. We want to be a community where the foundation of grace enables us to be honest with each other. We want to welcome extortioners, the proud, the greedy, the judgmental, adulterers, prostitutes, anyone into our midst. Together, we want to experience God’s gracious healing – spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, relationally!

So, if you aren’t perfect, we’d love to welcome you to 5:17 church. You don’t have to clean up your act or already be a Christian before you come to 5:17. You are most welcome just as you are!