Who do you want in your church? People that look like you, or people who need to be there?

About 20 years ago I stopped dressing up when I went to church. One day, it just struck me to go to church in a pair of cut off sweat pants, and an old t-shirt to see how people would receive me. It was an interesting experiment that I continue to this day.

Somehow, in today's society, church has become this social club where they want to attract a certain type of person, and friends can congregate. It's the new social setting...

But, how would your church react... no, how would you react if a homeless person came in and sat next to you?

True story, I was attending a church in NY and we were serving a dinner. One of the homeless people that came from a local shelter came in and sat next to me. One of the women in the church got really offended that he was there because he was ruining her meal. The young man was truly offended because he truly loved coming to the church, and this was the first time in a long time that he was receiving a great meal.

I tried to explain to her away from the group the importance of the mission of the church and why it's important that we open our doors to people like this. She very angrily responded - which ended a great multi-year friendship between her family and mine... It didn't end because I wanted it to. It ended because she was offended when presented with the truth.

What would you have done in a similar situation?

Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Mark 2:17

In this case... both people needed Jesus... only one person realized it.

Let us struggle to reach out to those who truly need Jesus, whether they realize it or not.