In this season of brokenness, we especially need grace. Many people are trapped in their homes in what feels like a place of judgment and are dying to exchange it for one of grace. And that is the first thing that churches need to offer as we open up our doors again.

When Jesus came bringing the kingdom, he was bringing the economics of grace rather than judgment. His first sermon was about how that works. He was saying, “learn how to practice forgiveness." And "learn how to practice giving as a lifestyle.“ This is grace.

As I reflect on my upbringing in the church and in missions, I think about all the complicated situations I was in that needed grace.

Almost all of the communities I attended on Sunday morning or worked alongside from 9 to 5 didn’t understand grace. When people messed up, they were kicked out. And sometimes you found yourself sitting in the ejection seat and didn't know why.

There was the time when as a young man I was summarily fired from a ministry for what felt like no good reason. There was the string of churches my family attended that imploded and fired their pastors. And the church splits. The divisive meetings. The bitter and broken relationships that resulted.

Sometimes the Christian communities that we're a part of can look like train wrecks. It's no wonder that close to half of young people are leaving the church and want nothing to do with it. All they want is authenticity and grace and they don't see it in our communities.

For churches who want to connect with young people, perhaps a good place to begin is to consider, "do our lives show God's grace?" Yes, repentance is necessary, but after that, so is grace! 

Here we are today in Covid-time - not in a great place, but maybe closer to grace than we realize. What if we were to make a list of the people we have judged and ask, "How could I love them better? How can my community reach out to those who are different than us and offer hope?"

As we leave our houses, we have the opportunity to try to re-invent community as a place where Jesus would feel welcome. A place where people get a second chance, not at fixing themselves, but at just feeling accepted. A place where the truth is told in love. A place where we fight for one another.

That’s what I have been dreaming about all my life. That is what people are dying for.