Hi Stan - Thanks heaps for your encouragement. I love our church and it is a privilege to be a part of what God is doing (despite our failures). God is very kind to us.

Paul - Thanks heaps for your thoughts as well. I agree with you that the context is that of Jesus explaining why he hangs out with sinners.

I do think though that there is evidence in other parts of scripture to suggest that ministry to unbelievers is more important than ministry to believers...

1. Jesus said he came to seek and save that which is lost. The reason he was on earth and not in heaven is for the sake of lost people.

2. Paul said his mission was to testify the gospel of God's grace. He would rather depart and be with Christ which was far better off. If there were no unbelievers, he could be in heaven.

3. Jesus told his disciples that if they follow him, he will make them fishers of men. Jesus could have said, follow me, and I will make you holy, or gracious, or loving, or nice, or pure...etc. But he didn't. So ultimately following Jesus is about ministering to unbelievers.

Again, I am not suggesting that we don't minister to believers. Of course we should. They are our brothers and sisters. We are one with them. But I am just agreeing with Erwin McManus who says that the CHURCH EXISTS FOR MISSION.

If there were no unbelievers, we wouldn't need a church. We wouldn't need to be here. We could go to heaven.

ANY THOUGHTS???