City on a HIll: Making Things Right
"Making Things Right": A Conversation with Pastor John of Compassion Metro Church
By Abbigale Weatherford
When I sat down with Pastor John, lead pastor of Compassion Metro Church in Oklahoma City, I expected a conversation about "biblical justice." What I received was something deeper, a
heart-level conversation about love, humility, and what it truly means to "make things right."
Defining Biblical Justice
When asked how he defines biblical justice, Pastor John didn't hesitate.
"The word 'justice' in Scripture really means making things right," he said. "For us as believers, that means treating people fairly and caring for everyone. God calls us to defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless, and plead the case of the widow."
He referenced Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, 0 man, what is good ... to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. "
Justice, he said, isn't about revenge or legal systems. It's about restoration.
"When someone's been wronged, our role is to help make it right. To love everyone, care for everyone, and treat everyone the same. We're not to show favoritism. That's biblical justice."
Justice, Culture, and the Modern Church
When asked whether his view on social justice has changed over time, Pastor John was thoughtful.
"I don't think my stance has changed," he said. "From the day I started pastoring, I've had a heart for people others might overlook, the ones who don't seem welcome anywhere else."
He acknowledged that the term socialjustice has shifted in meaning within culture.
"There are things today that society labels as justice that simply don't align with Scripture. And ifwe, as the church, don't agree, we're sometimes viewed as unloving. But loving someone doesn't mean agreeing with everything they do."
For Pastor John, the church must be a hospital, not a hotel.
"Everybody's welcome," he said. "Rich or poor, broken or whole, sinner or saint. We're not here to tum people away. We're here to help them heal."
Staying Salt and Light in a Polarized World
In a world where politics often divide people of faith, Pastor John offered this caution:
"I beg pastors to stop getting on social media and jumping into political debates. The moment you do, you're seen as loving one side and hating the other. We can have convictions, but our allegiance is to the Kingdom of God, not a political party."
His advice to everyday believers? Keep it simple.
"Preach Jesus. Speak the truth in love. Let your life reflect what the Bible says, not what politics say."
Humility and Mercy: The Posture of Christ
Pastor John believes humility and meekness are central to justice and Christian life.
"Most Christians aren't humble," he admitted. "Even I struggle with it. But at the end of the day, it's how we treat people that matters."
He referenced Scripture's reminder that believers will be known by their love.
"When people make mistakes, love them. Restore them gently. Love covers a multitude of sins."
At Compassion Metro, that philosophy shows up even before someone hears a sermon.
"Before you ever make it to the sanctuary, seven people should've loved on you already," he said with a smile. "You can't hear the message if no one made you feel like you mattered."
The Church's Call to Action
When asked what role the local church should play in addressing poverty, racism, injustice, or homelessness, Pastor John didn't mince words.
"If we're not intentional, we'll miss it. The church isn't called to just have great services. It's called to meet needs."
He pointed to Matthew 25 and the Metro Project, Compassion Metro's initiative to serve Oklahoma City beyond Sunday mornings.
"Every church should ask two questions: What is the spiritual need in our city? And what is the practical need? Then go meet both."
For some, that might look like food pantries, toy drives, or partnerships with recovery programs. For others, it might be listening, mentoring, or offering second chances.
"We're not called to do everything, but we are called to do something," he said. "Don't do ministry just to say you did it. Do it to make a difference."
Loving People, Not Movements
On the topic of modem movements and activism, Pastor John stressed discernment.
"Every movement must be lined up with the Word of God," he said. "Some start for the right reasons but lose their way when the movement becomes more important than the people it was supposed to help."
He encourages believers to listen first.
"Sometimes people aren't trying to be hateful, they just don't know what they don't know. Before we assume, we should put ourselves in their shoes."
For him, the foundation remains the same: love everyone.
"We may not agree on everything, but we love people the same way Christ did. Love is what draws people to Him."
Justice That Reflects Jesus
As our conversation closed, Pastor John circled back to his definition of justice.
"Justice is about making things right according to God's Word. Not everyone will agree with that, and that's okay. But we're called to love people enough to help make things right."
He paused before adding one final reminder.
"The church was never meant to be known for what it hates. It should be known for who it loves."
About Compassion Metro Church:
"At Compassion Church Metro, we exist for one reason above all else: to see the lost saved. Everything we doevery outreach, every gathering, every prayer.. is fueled by the deep
conviction that no one is too far gone for the love of Jesus. We are a family of people who have encountered the transforming power of God, and we believe that same power is available to everyone. We're not just a church; we're a movement of compassion, driven to see lives changed, chains broken, and hearts made whole. From the streets of the city to the comers of every neighborhood, we live with one goal in mind: that the lost would come home".
By Abbigale Weatherford
When I sat down with Pastor John, lead pastor of Compassion Metro Church in Oklahoma City, I expected a conversation about "biblical justice." What I received was something deeper, a
heart-level conversation about love, humility, and what it truly means to "make things right."
Defining Biblical Justice
When asked how he defines biblical justice, Pastor John didn't hesitate.
"The word 'justice' in Scripture really means making things right," he said. "For us as believers, that means treating people fairly and caring for everyone. God calls us to defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless, and plead the case of the widow."
He referenced Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, 0 man, what is good ... to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. "
Justice, he said, isn't about revenge or legal systems. It's about restoration.
"When someone's been wronged, our role is to help make it right. To love everyone, care for everyone, and treat everyone the same. We're not to show favoritism. That's biblical justice."
Justice, Culture, and the Modern Church
When asked whether his view on social justice has changed over time, Pastor John was thoughtful.
"I don't think my stance has changed," he said. "From the day I started pastoring, I've had a heart for people others might overlook, the ones who don't seem welcome anywhere else."
He acknowledged that the term socialjustice has shifted in meaning within culture.
"There are things today that society labels as justice that simply don't align with Scripture. And ifwe, as the church, don't agree, we're sometimes viewed as unloving. But loving someone doesn't mean agreeing with everything they do."
For Pastor John, the church must be a hospital, not a hotel.
"Everybody's welcome," he said. "Rich or poor, broken or whole, sinner or saint. We're not here to tum people away. We're here to help them heal."
Staying Salt and Light in a Polarized World
In a world where politics often divide people of faith, Pastor John offered this caution:
"I beg pastors to stop getting on social media and jumping into political debates. The moment you do, you're seen as loving one side and hating the other. We can have convictions, but our allegiance is to the Kingdom of God, not a political party."
His advice to everyday believers? Keep it simple.
"Preach Jesus. Speak the truth in love. Let your life reflect what the Bible says, not what politics say."
Humility and Mercy: The Posture of Christ
Pastor John believes humility and meekness are central to justice and Christian life.
"Most Christians aren't humble," he admitted. "Even I struggle with it. But at the end of the day, it's how we treat people that matters."
He referenced Scripture's reminder that believers will be known by their love.
"When people make mistakes, love them. Restore them gently. Love covers a multitude of sins."
At Compassion Metro, that philosophy shows up even before someone hears a sermon.
"Before you ever make it to the sanctuary, seven people should've loved on you already," he said with a smile. "You can't hear the message if no one made you feel like you mattered."
The Church's Call to Action
When asked what role the local church should play in addressing poverty, racism, injustice, or homelessness, Pastor John didn't mince words.
"If we're not intentional, we'll miss it. The church isn't called to just have great services. It's called to meet needs."
He pointed to Matthew 25 and the Metro Project, Compassion Metro's initiative to serve Oklahoma City beyond Sunday mornings.
"Every church should ask two questions: What is the spiritual need in our city? And what is the practical need? Then go meet both."
For some, that might look like food pantries, toy drives, or partnerships with recovery programs. For others, it might be listening, mentoring, or offering second chances.
"We're not called to do everything, but we are called to do something," he said. "Don't do ministry just to say you did it. Do it to make a difference."
Loving People, Not Movements
On the topic of modem movements and activism, Pastor John stressed discernment.
"Every movement must be lined up with the Word of God," he said. "Some start for the right reasons but lose their way when the movement becomes more important than the people it was supposed to help."
He encourages believers to listen first.
"Sometimes people aren't trying to be hateful, they just don't know what they don't know. Before we assume, we should put ourselves in their shoes."
For him, the foundation remains the same: love everyone.
"We may not agree on everything, but we love people the same way Christ did. Love is what draws people to Him."
Justice That Reflects Jesus
As our conversation closed, Pastor John circled back to his definition of justice.
"Justice is about making things right according to God's Word. Not everyone will agree with that, and that's okay. But we're called to love people enough to help make things right."
He paused before adding one final reminder.
"The church was never meant to be known for what it hates. It should be known for who it loves."
About Compassion Metro Church:
"At Compassion Church Metro, we exist for one reason above all else: to see the lost saved. Everything we doevery outreach, every gathering, every prayer.. is fueled by the deep
conviction that no one is too far gone for the love of Jesus. We are a family of people who have encountered the transforming power of God, and we believe that same power is available to everyone. We're not just a church; we're a movement of compassion, driven to see lives changed, chains broken, and hearts made whole. From the streets of the city to the comers of every neighborhood, we live with one goal in mind: that the lost would come home".
Recent
Archive
2026
Categories
no categories
No Comments