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That's why people at Potter's House are up front about the mistakes they have made and the hardships they have endured, he says. "We need to know that it can be done—economically, spiritually, maritally … by flawed and broken people. Churches that pretend to be full of perfect people will turn [African Americans] off. That kind of stuff estranges our people because they cannot relate to it. They think, 'Oh, I'm ineligible for this, I can't do this,' and they go to something else," be it drugs or the Nation of Islam or a soap opera or a string of lovers."

They need to know that people who've been abused, who've been molested, who've been in jail, who've been ostracized, criticized, and have had a baby by Mary and one by Isabel over here, can come to Christ, not hide who they were, be rehabilitated, become productive, and that God has grace to receive them."

Jakes is right, of course, that his congregation needs to hear this message. But the rest of us need to hear it, too.

Lauren Winner is a staff writer for Christianity Today.

Proud to Be Modest | Author Wendy Shalit rattles the female establishment with a hip appeal to tradition. (Jan. 13, 2000)

An Open-Door Policy | Is meeting alone with a member of the opposite sex dangerous? Is taking steps against it sexist? (Nov. 11-16, 1999)

Eternal Ink | A growing movement of Christian tattooists is leaving its mark on both body and soul. (Oct. 4, 1999)

Whoa, Susannah! | It's great music, but its portrayal of Christian hypocrisy will make you wince. (Oct. 4, 1999)

New Song, Familiar Tune | Jan Karon's latest Mitford installment changes locales to talk about living where you're at. (July 12, 1999)

Death, Inc. | What the funeral industry doesn't want you to know. (Apr. 26, 1999)

Sword Drills and Stained Glass | What children really learn in Sunday school. (Apr. 5, 1999)

Tales of a Reluctant Convert | Anne Lamott despised Christians but couldn't resist becoming one. (Feb. 8, 1999)

Finding Power in Submission | Two feminist scholars write about women you'll recognize. (Apr. 27, 1998)

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February 7 2000, Vol. 44, No. 2