Choked Up

A father calls a local church and wants to know if they will allow his child  to be baptized. He wants to raise the child in the faith, but he has "things" in his past (it could be divorce or other situations that have separated the father from the church). It has taken him a long time to call a church at all because he assumes he is not welcome. His discussions with others led him to believe his assumption was correct.

This happens more than you think. At Nativity, I field these calls and emails from parents desperate to return to the faith of their childhood but embarrassed and ashamed that they will not be welcome.  Ironically, my experience is that these parents are the ones who we find to be the most invested in their church experience and the faith upbringing of their children. And yet, what is the Church doing to welcome these people back?

Almost nothing. That must change.  Why must it change?

-It's wrong (Matthew 25:43).
 

-It's clearly the opposite of what Jesus would do (Luke 5:32).

-It violates the mandate that we baptize all nations (Matthew 28:19).

-It ignores the requirement that we build the local church (Ephesians 4:12).

-It abdicates responsibility for finding new members to serve others (also Ephesians 4:12).

I had a conversation with a father in this predicament today. After a brief conversation, he said he was "all choked up" that Nativity would welcome his family.  He was, frankly, shocked that anyone wanted them. It's a crime that people are made to feel this way and believe that they aren't welcome because of past mistakes.

If you know anyone in this situation, please have them contact me at kleslie@churchnativity.org.

What's that about throwing stones?