“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!