Mulligan Month: The Church Needs a Mulligan, or More

God never intended for you to journey alone. Never.

You can’t grant yourself grace in isolation; real second chances are experienced in community.

In the church, it’s not about whether you’ll need a do-over—it’s if you’re surrounded by people who say: “Let’s try again—together.”

This, friends, is where the church comes in.

• Not a building.
• Not a brand.
• Not one more angry voice echoing in a divided world.

We Need Each Other to Grow Up in Christ

“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” (Ephesians 4:15, NLT)

Brave encouragement that says:
“I want you to win. I see what God put in you.”
It sees the glory and the mess.

THE FIRST-CENTURY CHURCH: The Radical Community

Before there were pews, programs, parking teams—there were homes, open tables, prayers around bread and brokenness.

“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need… And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”  Acts 2:44-47 (NLT)

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”  Acts 2:42 (NLT)

It wasn’t Sunday religion.
It was everyday revolution.

What’s the 2025 Modern Translation?
We don’t do “church” one day a week. We are the church, every day. Around kitchen tables, group texts, lunchrooms, dorms.

The church is like a puzzle: 

• Everyone brings a unique piece, and when someone is missing, the picture isn’t complete.
• Growth, breakthrough, and mission happen when every part does its work.
• The world needs your piece—and, sometimes, you need theirs.

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow…”  Ephesians 4:16, NLT

If there was ever a time when the church needed a mulligan—a do-over, a holy restart—it’s now.

Jesus said, “Whosoever will, let him come.”
But we whisper, “If you fit, you can sit.”

We’ve made the church a safe place for us, but a hard place for “them”—when the real gospel tears down every boundary.

We need a second shot—a holy do-over at being the movement Jesus deserves about when He said, “I will build my church.”

Not for powerless ritual, but for real transformation.
Not for reputation, but for redemption.

• Their arms were wide.
• Their tables were long.
• Their prayers were bold.

This is the shot God is calling us to take.
Don’t waste your mulligan swinging for comfort.
Use it to tear down walls and welcome the prodigals home.
That’s hitting the gospel sweet spot.

• When you mess up, there’s grace.
• When you fall down, there’s help.
• When you feel lost, there’s a community who will walk you home.

OKAY, CHUCK, BUT WHAT NOW?

Engage: Get in the game. Join a group, serve, pray, give, risk. Let your “Mulligan” come alive in real places, with real people, through real love.

Connect: Reach out. Share your story, listen to someone else’s. Be the “part or piece” that supplies what’s needed.

Contribute: Your gifts, your sweat, your prayers. Use them to build up others—don’t just consume, participate.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works…” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

“Share each other’s burdens…”  Galatians 6:2 (NLT)

“Two people are better off than one…” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)

The first-century church—open, generous, powerful. Acts 2:42, 44-47 (NLT)