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No Kill Shelters
If you’re an animal lover, you gotta love the television show Dogtown. Aired on the National Geographic Channel, it’s about a dog shelter that is part of a massive 33,000 acre animal sanctuary in southern Utah. Dogtown is a “no kill shelter” where dogs, “who might otherwise be euthanized—find hope.”
No matter how sick or unruly, a devoted staff of trainers, veterinarians, and volunteers take in abandoned and damaged dogs with the goal of transforming each one into loving pets. Many of the canines who end up at the shelter exhibit unwanted or aggressive behavior because they are wounded and scared. The folks at Dogtown believe a dog whose has not experienced good things in life can be turned around for a greater good.
Wouldn’t it be great if our churches and Christian communities were more like Dogtown? Instead of shooting our wounded, the community of faith is meant to be like “no kill shelters” where scared, damaged, and messed up people can come and find God’s love and the hope for wholeness and purpose. Now that’s the gospel!
When the religious leaders of His day (who acted as if they were better than everyone else) bad mouthed Jesus for hanging out with sinners, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do” (Matthew 9:11, 13). His statement was bold and to the point. It reflected his primary mission to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free (Luke 4:18-19).
Though Jesus wasn’t light on moral failure (John 8:11), he didn’t try to fix people before getting them into the Kingdom. He met people where they were with the intention of graciously speaking truth that can transform people lives.
When people are struggling with a personal issue, one of the best places to be is among God’s people (at least that is how Jesus meant it to be).
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Great job relating the similarities between no kill shelters and the Christian community. I just love Layman’s terms. Christianese is way out of my comfort zone. I don’t know all the good Christian terminology, nor do I know much about the bible, but this just says it like it is. I don’t recall hearing many a Christian admit to the practice of shooting their own wounded, yet I know it is how myself and many other unchurched friends and acquaintances have seen the “Church.” Over time I’m seeing that I have wrongfully lumped all of Christianity (Bible believing churches) into the same category as unapproachable, unaccepting and unloving. I don’t mean this as an accusation, but sadly, the truth. From what I’m learning I think you’re right, that is not what Jesus meant the church to be like. It just doesn’t jibe with what I’ve learned about him. He was loving to a prostitute. That was a shocker. Loving to a lot of low lifes. Totally unexpected, and nothing like what I “believed” he must have been like. Your column here tells me that there must be a church somewhere where one can go and learn about God and Jesus before they are made perfect. If Jesus will accept you before you get your life all squared away, then surely the church could extend the same grace. “Grace”, a Christian term that until recently meant no more to me than saying a nice thank you for the grub of which you have recieved. I think maybe grace it what it’s all supposed to be about. Not that I’m an expert… I’ll leave that to you.
After reading the message above i agree, many people say they are christians, but don’t really practice it, I had a girl friend who said she was my friend, but she was very controlling and she got mad at me for me commenting on something she was wearing, and know she doesn’t call me, i’ve been hurt so many times by people who say they are christian. How should i deal with that? i’ve taken it to LORD but never got an answer, so i’ve been not reading my Bible. I just dont thrust anymore. thank you for listening.