WE ARE NOT A HOTEL. WE ARE A HOSPITAL!
HOTEL
-
A place for leisure and relaxation.
-
A place to get away from pressure and responsibility.
-
A place to be served and catered to.
-
A place chosen based on amenities.
-
A place to not be concerned with others.
HOSPITAL
-
A place where sick people go to get well.
-
A place for the hurting and the broken.
-
A place to be cared for.
-
A place that can care for physical and emotional needs.
We do not wish to be a hotel filled with saved people, but we wish to be a hospital for those who are hurting and broken.
Mark 2:17 says, "It's not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. I did not come for the righteous, but for the sinners." That was the response of Jesus because He was eating with tax collectors and sinners and the religious leaders started talking and asking "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
We want to be that place where people who are broken and hurting can find healing in Christ. And in order to see that, we (the church) need to be ready to do our part to lead people to life in Jesus. Just as the hospital has many people working for the same goal, healing, we too are ready to roll up our sleeves and serve the people that come to our church so that they can receive all that Christ has for them.
There are many needs, but we must never lose sight of the fact that our ultimate objective is to really heal them, and this means to introduce them to Christ so that they have a life changing experience.
When this happens they become a part of the healing team and assume the responsibility of helping to heal others.
When we lose our commitment to heal people, the church stops being a hospital and ends up becoming a hotel.