Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ (Matthew 19:14)
Yesterday at our church a man who had been homeless was baptized.
He gave his statement of faith to the congregation, and talked about how the love and acceptance he felt here enabled him to begin rebuilding his life.
The thing that astounds me is, he said that it all started when we “allowed” him to volunteer at our annual mission fundraiser.
Allowed?
Sure enough. A couple in our congregation volunteer with a local homeless ministry, and they recruited some of the men being served by the ministry to watch over the items during our huge yard sale/bake sale day. The men were astounded, I guess, that someone trusted them with this much responsibility. Then these men started to attend worship here, and they were astounded again at how people shook their hands and greeted them, as if they were any other visitors.
Sometimes we church folks get so caught up in worry about the supposed decline of the church, that we neglect the very people who want to be here. It may seem unbelievable, but there are still folks in our towns and neighborhoods who would receive the church with childlike amazement and delight.
Indeed, let them come.
Pastor2K 
Posted by Davro on October 20, 2011 at 3:07 pm
I stole this story for a sermon illustration. Sorry, I had to. So cool!
Posted by weedandfeed on October 20, 2011 at 3:16 pm
it was cool! And I’m flattered that you used the story!