Over fifty years ago I was hurting, angry with God, my faith was candy ready to give God the drop kick in life.
In the midst of that Jesus hugged me.
He wasn't asking me to be one bit different, to stop being angry. He just wanted me feel his love, no strings attached.
I had never been loved that way before.
He changed my life.
That's part of the gospel. A part that we don't often hear because it gets displaced by the things we're doing, but a necessary part.
The gospel proposal is about focusing on the social implications of Jesus' teaching to the exclusion of the saving significance of his person. And recognizing that some within our church miss hearing that periodically, and either distance themselves from or question whether they still find themselves within this church.
The church has tried to make a place for everyone that they might feel welcome within it.
The proposal is asking that we make a clear statement about the gospel and repeat it periodically that those for whom that is important might still feel welcome.....