Embracing a Community of Love and Acceptance

Today marks a significant milestone—four years since a small group gathered in our home to dream of a church that would be unmistakably for people, especially those who have felt that church was not for them. From the very beginning, the vision has been to create a community where everyone, regardless of their background or faith journey, knows they are welcomed, valued, and loved. This is not just a slogan or a campaign; it’s the heartbeat of who we are and why we exist.

The reality is, many in our community and beyond have experienced church as a place of judgment, exclusion, or irrelevance. Surveys show that the vast majority of people outside the church see Christians as judgmental, hypocritical, old-fashioned, or too political. This perception is not just a statistic—it’s a barrier that keeps people from experiencing the love and grace of God. But the message of Jesus is radically different. John 3:16 reminds us that God is so for the world that He gave His Son, not to condemn, but to save. Jesus’ posture toward us is not one of anger or condemnation, but of peace, grace, and invitation.

When Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection, He didn’t scold them for abandoning Him. Instead, He offered peace and entrusted them with the mission to carry His message of love and hope to the world. In the same way, we are now sent—to St. Joe, to our neighborhoods, to our workplaces—to embody and share the truth that God is for people. This mission is not about forcing beliefs or winning arguments; it’s about living out and extending the love that has transformed us.

Being “for St. Joe” is more than a series or a set of community projects. It’s a way of life. It’s about showing up for our neighbors, serving our schools, supporting families, and making sure that everyone knows they matter to God and to us. Through practical acts of generosity—like supporting Backpack Buddies, hosting movie nights at local schools, and blessing teachers during conference week—we tangibly demonstrate God’s love. Every shirt, decal, and hashtag is an opportunity to start a conversation, to break down barriers, and to say, “God is for you, and so am I.”

The invitation is simple but profound: Are you in? Will you join in passing on this message, not just for a Sunday or a season, but as a way of life? For God so loved the world, He sent Jesus. For God so loved St. Joe, He is sending us.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Posture Is Always “For” People, Not Against Them The heart of God is not condemnation but love. John 3:16-17 makes it clear that God’s motivation in sending Jesus was not to judge or exclude, but to offer life and relationship to all. This challenges us to examine whether our own posture toward others reflects God’s favor and grace, especially toward those who feel far from faith or community. [11:09]
• 2. The Church’s Reputation Must Be Reclaimed Through Radical Welcome With so many perceiving the church as judgmental or irrelevant, it is vital to become known for what we are for, not what we are against. This means intentionally creating spaces where people can belong before they believe or behave, and where acceptance is not conditional. Our actions and attitudes must communicate that God’s love is available to everyone, regardless of their story. [09:20]
• 3. Jesus Entrusts Ordinary People With an Extraordinary Mission After His resurrection, Jesus didn’t choose perfect or qualified people to carry His message—He chose those who had failed, doubted, and run away. In the same way, we are entrusted with the mission to share God’s love, not because we have it all together, but because God trusts us to pass on what we have received. Our imperfections do not disqualify us; they make us relatable and dependent on grace. [19:22]
• 4. Love Compels Us to Serve and Give Generously The motivation for all we do—serving, giving, inviting, and loving—is the love of Christ. When we are compelled by love rather than obligation or guilt, our generosity becomes a natural outflow. Whether it’s providing food for children, supporting teachers, or blessing first responders, every act of service is a declaration that God is for our community. [23:01]
• 5. The Mission Is Personal: “God Is For You, and So Am I” The most powerful way to communicate God’s love is through personal relationships and simple, authentic statements of support. Instead of pointing to programs or institutions, we are called to look people in the eye and say, “God is for you, and so am I.” This breaks down walls, opens hearts, and creates opportunities for deeper conversations about faith and hope. [28:48]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Four-Year Anniversary Reflections
• [03:00] - The Vision: A Church For People
• [04:30] - Why “For St. Joe” Matters
• [06:58] - The Church’s Reputation Problem
• [09:20] - The Story That Sparked Our Mission
• [11:09] - God’s Heart: John 3:16-17
• [14:15] - Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Encounter
• [16:21] - Grace Instead of Condemnation
• [19:22] - Passing the Mission Forward
• [21:48] - For God So Loved St. Joe
• [23:01] - Compelled by Christ’s Love
• [25:03] - The Call: Are You In?
• [28:48] - Practical Ways to Be “For”
• [31:23] - Upcoming Community Initiatives
• [33:10] - Celebrating Generosity
• [35:26] - Movie Nights and School Partnerships
• [37:55] - Fourth Sunday Giving
• [40:59] - Impact Over the Last Year
• [42:21] - The Invitation: Pass It On

1. According to John 3:16-17, what was God’s motivation for sending Jesus into the world?
2. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection, what was his first message to them? (see John 20:19-21)
3. In the sermon, what are some of the main reasons people outside the church feel unwelcome or judged by Christians? [06:58]
4. What practical examples did the sermon give of ways the church is trying to show that “God is for you”? [31:23]

1. What does it mean that God’s posture is “for” people and not “against” them? How does this challenge common ideas about God and church? [11:09]
2. Why do you think Jesus chose to greet his disciples with “Peace be with you” instead of scolding them for abandoning him? What does this reveal about his character? [17:21]
3. The sermon says that Jesus entrusts ordinary, imperfect people with his mission. Why might God choose to use people who have failed or doubted? [19:22]
4. The church’s reputation is often negative in our culture. What does it look like to “reclaim” the church’s reputation through radical welcome and generosity? [09:20]

1. The sermon shared that many people see the church as judgmental, hypocritical, or irrelevant. Have you ever felt this way, or do you know someone who has? How can you personally help change this perception in your daily life? [06:58]
2. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” What is one place (work, school, neighborhood, family) where you feel God might be sending you to show his love? What’s a first step you could take? [21:48]
3. The message “God is for you, and so am I” is simple but powerful. Who in your life needs to hear or experience this message from you? How can you communicate it in a real, personal way this week? [28:48]
4. The sermon described practical acts of generosity—like supporting Backpack Buddies, blessing teachers, and hosting movie nights. Is there a specific act of service or generosity you feel led to participate in or start? What’s holding you back? [31:23]
5. The idea of “belonging before believing or behaving” was emphasized. How can you make space in your life or in our group for people who are still exploring faith or who feel like outsiders? [09:20]
6. The pastor asked, “Are you in?”—not just for a Sunday, but as a way of life. What would it look like for you to live out being “for” your community every day? What might need to change in your attitude, schedule, or priorities? [25:03]
7. Think about a time when someone showed you that God is for you. How did it impact your faith journey? How can you “pass it on” to someone else this month? [42:21]