According to my pastor today, "No, God does not love you the way you are; that's why He loves you because of what you could be in Him. That's why He sent His son to die for you, because the way you are is destined for a Christ-less eternity."
Discussion
A lot more can be said but generally agree with this.
I have no answer, do not have the ability to speak for God, myself.
But presumably the priestly class is closer to God than lay practitioners, right? Would you say the congregation are mostly practicing Christians? If so, was your pastor saying this in reference to the congregation? And again, if so, do you think your pastor would say any living human is loved by God? Like, the priestly class, of whatever flavor specific to your church?
A seed "just the way it is" includes the potential to become a tree