Representing Jesus Well

Dear Pastors

Representing Jesus Well

Recently I have been thinking (again) about how can the local church be a true representation of Jesus on the earth?

Let me state the obvious. Jesus ‘attracted’ the crowds……big time. Sure there were sceptics and obstructors in the crowds but overwhelmingly the people Jesus attracted were ‘the lost, the least and the last’. A very quick read of the Gospels is all you need to do to confirm that this was true.

So my question is simple. How might we recreate this dynamic today? How can a local church reflect the personality of Jesus so powerfully that people want to come, that people want to see, and that people want to hear. In short that people want to experience Jesus who is superbly represented in the ‘corporeality’ of a local church? Jesus who is FULL of and Grace and Truth!

Here are a few thoughts for starters:-

1. If hypocrisy, judgementalism and moralism repel people then we should operate in the opposite spirit. Survey after survey show that most people are ‘turned off’ by the double standards they so often see and experience in churches. Grace on the other hand says, “no one is perfect here, so you are welcome here, we accept you just the way you are”. That’s the Jesus way.
2. If you need to hear really good news that if applied can change your life – transform you from the inside out – then please come along no strings attached. So often after Jesus had finished teaching the Bible says that the people were ‘amazed’ at His words and the authority by which Jesus taught. There is a lot of good psychology and self-help teaching out there in the world but if you want to know The Truth then you are welcome here. The truth that Jesus offers will ‘set you free’.
3. If you need meaningful human connection and community (and make new friends), where you will experience love acceptance and forgiveness then you have come to the right place. And by the way, if you have questions – any questions – then right here is a safe place to ask your questions, express your doubts and objections and anything else you want to say.
4. And finally, the salvation Jesus offers is a free gift and you are free to accept it or leave it. We will not pressure you.

I don’t know about you but that sounds really good (even if I say so myself). I just may want to check that church out. What about you?

Before I go:-

This story is worth a watch. It is nigh on unbelievable that this is going on.
Jillian Spencer is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who lives in Queensland, Australia. She studied Medicine at Monash University in Melbourne and then subsequently trained in psychiatry. She completed sub-speciality certificates in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry. She qualified as a psychiatrist in 2009. She has worked for Queensland Health for 21 years. In mid-April 2023, she was removed from clinical duties due to being considered a danger to trans and gender diverse children. Since her story came out in the media in June, she has sought to raise awareness of the concerns around gender interventions for children.

Here is a really beautiful new(ish) song from Ce Ce Winans. Come Jesus Come.

Blessings
Alan