If the argument regarding the ABS Marriage survey has caused you upset, or has you feeling beat up or just feeling Blah! then Open Arms Fellowship is the place you need to head to.
As our name suggests you will be welcomed with open arms no matter your opinion. All arguments are left at the door. Because All that really matters is the relationship between you and God, even if you don’t have such a relationship yet.
Church should be your “Go To” place when you are feeling hurt, abused, marginalised and lonely. That is one of the principles that I try to convey through Open Arms Fellowship, here in Perth.
More than anything I want people to know that there is a place where they will be welcomed, loved and respected on the basis of who they are, another human being on this journey called life. David didn’t refer to it as “The Valley of the Shadow of Death” for nothing. But, one thing we do need to remember, is that the shadow of a dog cannot actually bite anyone.
In recent times here, in Australia, a social divide has evolved polarising the population along lines of support For, or Against, the extension of the Civil institution of marriage to those of the GLBTI community.
The saddest thing about this melee, is that it has created the image of ‘The church’ against the rest of the world. This is, quite frankly, not a good look. Once the dust has settled on this battlefield, it will take some time for the institution that calls itself “The Church” to recover.
Most people know, or have at the least heard of John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This haas been the basis of many Evangelist’s sermon throughout the years.
But, sadly, for many, that’s where they have stopped. But John 3:17 follows on from there: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Yes you read that correctly: God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world”. If this is the case, then why has the greatest focus of the church been on their definition of what is and is not sin? That’s just one of the questions I like people to contemplate.
Too often there is a focus on the things that need to change before God will accept someone. Or, that they will be welcomed, as a member of this or that ‘church’ group.
In my experience God is only too happy to receive us ‘warts and all’ so that he can lavish his Love and Grace upon us as he leads us into a full and intimate relationship with himself. He did so with me.
We meet every Sunday at the UCIC hall on the first floor, 97 William St Perth, diagonally opposite the Murray St Railway station entrance. We start at 6pm and “Everyone Is Welcome”.
The Welcome Light is on. Come on In, Get Refreshed. Don’t Tell Me You Don’t Need it!