“[The Good Samaritan] went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” – Luke 20:34-35
Towards the end of the story of the Good Samaritan, we see that the injured man is brought to an inn. A place where he can rest and be healed. A place where the man can be looked after and find a home.
The Church is like an inn. It’s a place where you can belong if you are broken. Perhaps you are beat up. Maybe not physically, but in your mind you are struggling with things like depression, addiction and feelings of “I do not belong”. Or, maybe you are confused about what kind of a place Church is, and you question whether or not it can change you. It can, and it will.
When you come to church, it doesn’t matter HOW you come, because you will leave different. The pressure is off to feel like you have to “fix” yourself before you come here. You are welcome here. The Church is a place where Jesus brings us together in a community of extraordinary love, and we can’t wait for you to experience this love. There is nothing like God’s house!
The Church is your home until Heaven, and we believe that God as your healer will bring you into an “inn” where you can continue the healing process- a house where you can feel like family, and a building that feels as warm and welcoming as your own home. This is why we have crews. Crews are communities within New Life where you can join a group of other people in your shoes and experience community together. You don’t have to completely healed to join a crew, and that’s the beautiful thing: You can still help people who also need the visit the inn, even when you are not fully healed yourself!
When we are in the process of healing, God begins to call us to also be a helper to others. Now that you have been introduced to the home, it is time to show others. Welcome them home.