Sunday, December 31, 2023

The Welcoming Church

Keyword: AA, addiction, church, ecclesiology, congregation, welcome, fellowship, koinonia
Source: https://twitter.com/erichoke/status/1739997761808765286?t=9-q0iClMRV_PbeWx7gdvkA&s=19

An alcoholic friend of Philip Yancey once said to him: 

“When I'm late to church, people turn around and stare at me with frowns of disapproval. 

I get the clear message that I'm not as responsible as they are. 

When I'm late to AA, the meeting comes to a halt and everyone jumps up to hug and welcome me. 

They realize that my lateness may be a sign that I almost didn't make it. 

When I show up, it proves that my desperate need for them won out over my desperate need for alcohol."