Building a Culture of Grace

It goes without saying God is a welcoming God. In what might be the greatest story ever told (Luke 15:11-32), you’ll recall the son behaved appallingly: ‘Give me my inheritance now’! In that culture it was like wishing the father dead. Yet the son leaves and wastes the lot until he is destitute. And then he comes to his senses.

Notice, the extraordinary detail of what happens next: ‘when he was still far off’—how did the father see him? He must have been waiting for him. Then the father runs to his son, throws his arms around him, kisses him. He throws off all his dignity to love his lost son.

In the story, the father is like God. This is the welcome God gives to the person who comes to their senses. God is rich in mercy, tender-hearted, full of compassion toward each of us.

When we warmly and lovingly welcome others, we demonstrate God’s love. That’s why my hope for Christ Church Lavender Bay is that everyone who comes will be warmed and challenged. They’ll find preaching that engages believers and doubters alike. They’ll be helped to engage with the world around us.

They’ll find a church that is intelligible and helps them to see what Christianity looks like. They’ll learn from the prayer book, not fumbling around pages but following it on slides and screens. They’ll feel connected both online and in person. They’ll hear music that captures the beauty of the language in our singing, words and melodies that are simple and rich. They’ll find people to welcome them on time or even early as they walk inside this building, friendly, relaxed and caring people.

In other words, we’re building a culture of Grace, where we look after each other and newcomers, treating each other as God treats us and every lost child.—Rev. Greg Webster

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