Jill tapped me late last night to do the devotion for MHCH’s bi-monthly Leadership Team meeting. She said, “Read our Core Values and come up with a Scripture passage that relates to it.” It’s been quite a while since I reviewed our core values and I was moved by this one:
We are faith-rooted, each of us operating from our own faith perspective and pursuing justice in a spirit of respect for each other, love for our city, and especially for the most vulnerable. All are welcome, including those without religious faith. We believe everyone reflects God’s image. What would a policy look like where everyone is valued and seen as precious?
I love the idea that all are welcome in MHCH. It reminds me of the scripture passage that was read during this Sunday worship service at the Methodist Church where Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem and he laments,
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
Jesus loves Jerusalem so much that he later weeps over her—the only other time that Jesus weeps was at the death of his friend Lazarus. Clearly Jesus loves this city with all its flaws, even knowing that the leaders of Jerusalem would kill him. I feel God has called us to love our city in the same way even when our leaders sometimes give us a hard time. Jesus doesn’t say, “I want to gather all the good people under my wing.” He is totally inclusive. He wants to gather everyone, rich, poor, religious folks and sinners. But Jesus has a special love for the poor, the sinners, the sick and the outcast. That’s also our approach at MHCH.
Entry by Anthony Manousos, Co-founder of MHCH
Making Housing and Community Happen 
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