For the past couple of years I have often thought that if I was to ever start a church (which I have no desire to do), I would call it “Second Chance Church.” I know. Even as I write that it sounds a bit cheesy. Corny. But please hear me out.
Having been a pastor for close to 50 years, I have seen many broken lives. Train wrecks. Twisted beyond recognition. Mangled. Messed up. Even hopeless (as in giving up). I will even admit to being close to that feeling a time or two myself.
Getting broadsided in my car- as I was recently- does not carry the same picture of a car wrecked so badly it is unrecognizable and the “jaws of life” have to be used. There are some people whose lives are dented, smashed into, even put on the shelf temporarily. Then there are those whose lives are truly a disaster. Addiction. Poor choices. Loose morals. Alone. Destitute.
No matter which…we all need second chances (in some cases third, fourth and fifth). One of the biggest roadblocks to that second chance is shame. I want to be able to help people get past shame. I want them to realize there are always second chances. Shame doesn’t have to hang around and keep us where we are; God wants to take us “onward and upward” (to borrow C.S. Lewis’ words in the Chronicles of Narnia).
Second Chance Church. Sounds like a great name. But even without that name, that is exactly what a church should be about.
“Father, my life is a testimony to second chances. May I be your church here on earth offering that to others in Your Name.”
When we moved from Nashville, TN to the Tampa, FL area, we moved quick. The process of interview to hire was two weeks. Which meant preparing to sell a house, move 3 kids, finding a place to stay and coordinate the move. The other important item… Find a local church. One advantage of the Internet is that you can do alot of research online before you even step foot in a building. We landed in a local church called FreshStart. The premise is very similar to Second Chance…
So are you saying my idea is not original? 🙂 🙂 As if…
Yup. So many in the church will not give you a second chance, kinda mimicking the world. The church is supposed to be where beggars, thieves and losers go for a second chance.. and yet it’s a place where you are often condemned for your past.
Sadly Ed, you are way too correct. I guess I want to ask whatever happened to the Jesus and the woman caught in adultery approach?
Thank goodness God is always willing to give us those second (and third and fourth . . .) chances, Bill. I think that’s a great name for a church, too!
Blessings!
I, for one, am glad for those extra chances.