Listening to K-Love radio the other day a new song called Church (Take Me Back) by Cochren & Company was playing. After the song one of the radio hosts said “church is not a country club for the righteous, but a shelter for the sinners”. Below are some of the lyrics from the song:

Tried to walk on my own
But I wound up lost
Now I’m making my way to the foot of the cross
It’s not a trophy for the winners, it’s a shelter for the sinners
And it’s right where I belong

Oh, more than an obligation
It’s our foundation
The family of God
I know it’s hard, but we need each other
We’re sisters and brothers
Oh, take me back

To the place that feels like home
to the people I can depend on
To the faith that’s in my bones
Take me back to a preacher and a verse
Where they’ve seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh I want to go to church 

Church is typically defined as an “assembly of called out ones” or “the body of believers gathered to worship Jesus”. And while the church is definitely those things, as a member of the church I know the church also represents a starting point of hope, it demonstrates Christ’s love for everyone, and is a place where we all belong.