To the congregation,
A thousand years ago (or at least it feels that way), I used to drive Dante to preschool. Each and every day that I would drive him out there, I would pass this beautiful church on the right-hand side of the road. Their property was immaculate, their lawn was neatly trimmed, their parking lot was freshly paved, and their building looked like it was dressed to go to a prom. It was simply gorgeous. One of the things that you couldn’t help but notice about this beautiful church is that they had two entrances into their parking lot…and at each of them was a VERY large sign that said in large black, block lettering “NO TURN AROUND”.
No turn around!?!? Wait a minute. Did they realize that the word “repent” literally means “turn around”? And were they telling me I couldn’t repent there? I couldn’t turn around? Now I realize that I might be taking this a little too far theologically but “no turn around?” really? After all, aren’t you a church? Do you mean to tell me that if you’re going the wrong way…and you know it, you can’t go into that church and use its resources and its facilities to make sure that you start going the right way? Isn’t that what church is all about?
I’m glad that we are a “turn around church”. I’m glad that we are open and willing to take people the way they are. As we continue this journey together, let’s allow this community to use our resources and our facilities to make sure they’re heading in the right direction. The people of the Scranton need a “turn around here” church. There are people in our community and in our church itself who have lost their way. There are people who are sure they’re heading in the wrong direction, and they just need a place to allow them to turn around. I haven’t been here long but I truly believe that Elm Park loves this community and loves this city. We are going to have plenty of opportunities to show that over the next several years. We are going to be sure that Elm Park leaves no doubt that this is a place where U-turns are allowed and lives are changed by God!
And as for you and I…personally: I challenge us to stay on the road. I challenge us to keep going in the right direction. I challenge us to continue to follow God’s call on our lives. But rest assured…PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE know and be comforted by this: If you DO end up going wayward…if you do end up getting slightly lost and off the path, you can use our “driveway”, our fellowship, our ministries, our church, our worship services, our outreach…any and all of our resources to “turn around”.
Driving the road,
Jason