The Broken Church

This just in: People in the Church aren't perfect!
In fact, there is a ton of broken people in church today. I'm sure that this isn't breaking news for many of you, however for those outside the church walls they don't understand this phenomenom.
Please understand that I don't promote laziness in the lives of believers. It's in our own interest to read God's Word and pray, live a life that reflects His grace, and share the awesome message of God's love for His creation. BUT we aren't perfect. We blow it more often than not.
As a Pastor I see people come in and out of church who struggle with various issues. They have addictions they are trying to overcome, marriage problems that continue to keep them down, or bitterness/resentment from something that happened in their lives. And for some of these people church only complicates the issues. They don't feel as though they can "go to church" and have all this stuff in their lives.
Let me say that the church is for the broken. Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28. In the church you should find acceptance. Not for your lifestyle necessarily but for you as an individual. Even the most "saved" among us has been broken at some point. Each of us have experienced hurts. Many of us have had to overcome habits that we aren't proud of. But the reason we are here is because God has transformed our lives through Jesus Christ.
That is the essence of the Good News. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Please take note of the fact that God did not wait until humanity was perfect to send Jesus. He did not wait for us to come looking for Him. No, God is the one who intervenes.
Sure, there are many broken people within the church. But we are being mended daily. We are being made into the likeness of Christ. It takes time. I'll probably blow it before the day is over. However, God's grace is sufficient.