Broken

I'm in Bradley to lead a wokshop on baptism strategy. There are a lot of people here which either means people are really excited about this part of what churches do or we are all a bit lost and need help.
In the past we talked a lot about baptism policies... but it all got a bit legalistic and a bit lost.
People heard the church say "no" and rightly were hurt to be turned away.
I want to talk about how we can say yes.
It's a dangerous thing.
I guess saying yes is at the heart of all I do.
Like the song says: "I'm just a man who can't say no."

Another song is in my mind it's by julie miller.
It reflects the way in which many people come to us.
If they come like this how can we say: "no"

You can have my heart
Though it isn't new
It's been used and broken
And only comes in blue
It's been down a long road
And it got dirty on the way
If I give it to you will you make it clean
And wash the shame away

You can have my heart
If you don't mind broken things
You can have my life if you don't mind these tears
Well I heard that you make old things new
So I give these pieces all to you
If you want it you can have my heart

So beyond repair
Nothing I could do
I tried to fix it myself
But it was only worse when I got through
Then you walked into my darkness
And you speak words so sweet
And you hold me like a childTill my frozen tears fall at your feet