Where they're always glad you came

Over the years I’ve noticed something fairly common in churches: most operate with a slogan that “Everyone is Welcome.” But oddly enough, most outsiders don’t really feel welcome when they go.

One of the all-time most popular television series was “Cheers.” Set in an unspectacular sports bar in Boston, it featured a lineup of characters who were all a few ticks off center, nearly drove each other crazy, but hung together anyway out of friendship and necessity. Like the theme song said:

“Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.”

Norm and Clifford, Frazier and Woody – t...