Creating a safe environment

There are signs all around schools today saying this area is drug/gun free. Most public buildings are now smoke-free. These rules were established to make schools and other buildings safe. If there were no guns in school then the students were safe from being shot (false assumption). Smoke free buildings are now safe for our lungs.

So, is your church safe? Can people come and get help, encouragement, and support with their problems without being ridiculed, shunned, or even told to leave? It seems as if people don't admit their problems until it becomes public knowledge as through a police arrest or similar "outing". Why? Could it be that the church isn't a safe place? Maybe or maybe not. Repetitious sins tend to be sins that are addictive, and as with all addictions the longer we are involved in them the harder they are to overcome. Getting help early would seem to be more beneficial than later. But establishing safe relationships where this can happen is difficult both for the one seeking help and those willing to help.

Lord, we need your help loving others and letting others love us.