Stone sinners or love them?

Ever tilting at windmills, The Questing Parson offers a conversation among pastors where he asks what he considers the fundamental question, "Are we going to stone sinners or love them?" The question is not what we label sin, but how we will respond as a church to sinners. It's online at The Fundamental Question.

Now in fairness to the Gospels, while Jesus does not want the woman caught in adultery stoned to death, he does want her to go and sin no more. Yet, I'm sutr the Parson knows the "Go and sin no more" part of the story and I suspect he is more interested in our welcome and the tone of our churches, while leaving judgment to God. But I could be wrong about that. He writes in part,

"The fundamental issue is whether we are going to stone each other or love each other. And I don’t really give a damn what you do or do not define as sin. It won’t change the fact that the fundamental issue of our faith is whether we are going to stone those we consider sinners or whether we are going to love them."

“It’s not that simple,” said Phil.

“No it’s not,” said Mike in a hushed tone.”

“But it is,” said the parson. “Why would you want to make it more complicated than that?”

Is he right? Is it that simple?

Is the question for a church (and for individual Christians) not what we call sin, but how we respond to sinners?

peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor

Beauty for ashes

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

When sorrow seems to surround you
When suffering hangs heavy oer your head
Know that tomorrow brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

When what youve done keeps you from moving on
When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart
Know that forgiveness brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

I once was lost but God has found me
Though I was bound Ive been set free
Ive been made righteous in His sight
A display of His splendor all can see

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

—by Crystal Lewis

Today is Ash Wednesday, which begins the Season of Lent, a time of preparation for Easter. We will hold a 12 noon worship service at Christ Church in St. Marys and a 7 p.m. worship service this evening at King of Peace.

At King of Peace we also allow, as part of confession, an opportunity for sin burning. A smokeless fire (made of rubbing alcohol soaked rock salt) is lit and the congregation can consign to the consuming flames whatever anyone wishes to write down on paper, leaving behind those things that separate us from God as we begin the season of preparation for Easter. Though confession of sins is a traditional part of Ash Wednesday, the "sing burning" is not. It was adapted from something done at a middle school retreat to be added to worship at King of Peace.

Please join us as we begin our journey toward the cross and the empty tomb.