We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, yo no hablo ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying newborns, skinny as a rail or could afford to lose a few pounds. We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or can’t carry a note in a bucket. You’re welcome here if you’re “just browsing,” just woke up or just got out of jail. It is cool if you’re more Catholic than the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joe’s Baptism. We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. Whether you’re cisgender or transgender, you are welcome here.  We welcome you if you’re having problems or you’re down in the dumps or if you don’t like “organized religion,” because many of us have been there too. If you blew all your offering money last night at the club, you’re welcome here. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church. We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts…AND YOU! Everyone is accepted, Unconditionally!

A letter from Pastor Ken:

Dear Friend,

There is a scene in the movie, Spotlight, that I believe is a defining moment for church and culture. About three-quarters of the way through the movie, Mike Rezendes, an investigative reporter for the Boston Globe, is clearly angered by the level of bureaucracy at the paper and the stonewalling tactics of the Catholic church. But in a moment of vulnerability, he confesses that he is distraught over something much greater and more personal. He confides to a co-worker, “I was raised in the church. Our family went every week. And even though I don’t go anymore, I always knew one day I would go back. But now, after this, I realize I can never go home again.”

The sentiment that Mr. Rezendes shared with his co-worker is far too common in our culture. There are countless numbers of human beings who are convinced they can never go back to church. And I get that. I understand it. I was wounded by the church. I know firsthand how genuinely painful it is to feel like you can never go “home” again.

But I also know, firsthand, what it feels like to be an object of Divine Grace. Because through the embrace of a diverse community of Christ-followers living out the true message of the Gospel, I discovered that I could go home again. And that is the simple, yet profound, message that M2M:Charlotte wants to share.

Regardless of where you’ve been or what you’ve done; regardless of the labels that society has placed on you or the stories that you might be telling yourself. Beyond any doubt, you are an object of Divine Grace. You are loved, you are welcomed and you are accepted. Yes, you can come home. So, when you’re ready, we’ll be waiting.

Shalom,
Pastor Ken Fuquay

P.S. When you join us for worship you will hear a benediction penned by a friend of mine, Dr. E. Carson Brisson. It is a prayer which has become part of the fiber of who we are at M2M Charlotte. But more than a prayer, it has become our mantra; it embodies our mission and we are strongly compelled to offer it to you:

“May joy and nothing less find you on the way.  May you be blessed. O’, may you be a blessing. And may Light, love’s own crucified risen Light guide you and countless others out of every darkness all the way home.  And what of home?  What of home!  We know so little of home and we alone are entirely responsible for that. But of home this we know.  We believe that those most home seek those least home.  Shalom.”