Thoughts from the pen of Phillip Gulley:

A church that claims to be of the Body of Christ must act like Jesus. Reach out & touch ‘lepers’, call them brothers & sisters, seek their healing & restoration to the community, before they repent of whatever we deem sinful, not afterward. Offer acceptance.

Every person… is morally flawed. Jesus said, ‘Do not judge, so that you may, not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get’ Matthew 7:1-2

It isn’t a matter of ignoring sin but rather focusing on celebrating worth.

The church is a gathering of broken and wounded people relying on the grace of God… to heal and grow.

When distinctions between… members & non-members disappear… we are left with a church in which all men and women are expected (encouraged) to take their spiritual journey seriously, where each person’s contribution is valued and where there is space for all to learn and grow. A gracious (grace-based) church is a safe place to ask questions, explore new ideas, admit our struggles, and seek assistance.

Sadly this is not the nature of many congregations. Often, a church is where people who already agree gather to have their viewpoints reinforced.

Ungracious politics demonizes our opponents. Refusing to weigh their concerns and consider their point of view, we slander their motives & question their integrity. When we attack individuals, rather than consider/critique ideas; we violate the principals of Jesus & perpetuate the battleground…

Complicated issues… don’t always lend themselves to easy solutions.

A gracious (grace-based) church reminds us of what really matters – How we treat those around us.

Loving our enemies means respecting those with differing views, listening to their perspectives, and seeking common ground.

Gracious… compassionate… gentle… open… listening to great variety of viewpoints before making a decision.