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For 2-24-05 Newspaper "A hospital for sinners" by Ben Williams Pastor, Oologah United Methodist Church   "The Church is not a museum  for saints; it is a hospital for sinners."*  We do not go to church with plastic, self-righteous faces to impress others.  Jesus condemned our attempts at looking good by praying long prayers and performing  charitable acts in public.  That's the museum for "saints" concept.  It's very shallow.   On the contrary, we go to church because we need help.  We are sinners on the mend.  Jesus is  the Head Doctor, and Christians are His assistants in the healing process.  We all know that Christians sometimes hurt instead of heal.  That is sad, but not surprising, because the healers are also patients  in the process of recovery.   A large, fast-growing United Methodist church in Kansas City found hypodermic needles in bathrooms.  Imagine drug addicts at church hitting up in the bathroom.   Horrible!  But to build a museum-church, which has no room for broken people, is worse.   This Sunday the privilege falls to me to speak about "The Church That Heals."  People only concerned with  appearance may find a helpful attitude adjustment.  Those who need healing will find a hospital for sinners here.  Those who want to work with Jesus in bringing healing to others will find a place to learn  more.  *The museum / hospital statement has been attributed to Martin Luther and others.      [Home] [About us] [Regular Programs] [Mission] [News ] [Calendar] [Links] [Announcements]