The truth of God's grace is always messier than appearances let on.
recovery
Twelve-step groups have a rule against crosstalk. It’s a good rule for churches, too.
In opioid country, churches get to know their recovery communities.
A healing community in Nashville
During the testimony portion of a worship service at Central Park United Methodist Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, “Karen” walked to the front and confessed for the first time that years earlier she had killed a woman while driving drunk, had served five years in prison, and had then begun drinking again. “I was a menace to society,” she said. When she finished, she waited anxiously for the congregation’s response. Immediately some moved forward to embrace her; then the service continued and Karen joined other volunteers in serving communion.