A lady in the Church contacted me and wanted to hear my thoughts. A friend of hers wants to attend our Church, but another pastor had told her that our Church was too accepting of everyone. He stated that we have no genuine concern for sin and discipleship.

My response was simple, and I would encourage you to do the same thing I told her. Sit down and read every word of Luke 15. Then tell me what you think about Jesus and his ministry.

Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners, and the religious leaders of his day criticized him for being too accepting. Those people should get themselves cleaned up and their hearts right before they try to be religious. Jesus responds by telling not one, but three parables about the grace of God. They are called the story of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.

With each parable, Jesus keeps reducing the number of participants to underline that every single person is valuable to God. Everyone needs to be found and welcomed into the father’s party.

I firmly believe that people need transformation. We need to become disciples and learn to obey everything Jesus commanded. Transformation is not optional for any believer, especially those in the Church I lead. But before they seek to become like Christ, they first need to come to Jesus. When they do come, I want his people to welcome them with open arms, without judgment and with a message of grace … and transformation. I would rather err on the side of grace than be unwelcoming to a single seeker.

One challenge for every community of believers is to be more like the father in the story of the prodigal son than the older brother. One is filled with a critical spirit, and the other overflows with grace and love. One may be too accepting, but as a sinner, I am thankful for that acceptance.