Acceptable or NOT??? iF this person shows up your church on Sunday, what would happen???
Bio: girl with 6-8 inch pink mohawk with blue tips. more than 10 face piercings, multiple tatoos that you can see and God only knows those you can't and to top it all off she is a stripper at the local strip club.
Honestly consider what would happen, what would people say, how would they respond, would anyone speak to them, does anyone at your church know how to talk to them without staring??? If not, then ask yourself this question, Am I training up leaders to reach those that look & act different???
Jesus searched out people that were different from Him. He took alot of crap over it when the Pharisees questioned Him speaking to them and spending time with them. Even the disciples at times questioned Jesus rubbing shoulders with the whores, dysfunctional & socially unacceptable of that day. what does your character say about you??? If you want to TOUCH the world then you must get some DIRT on you.
We need to expect those people to walk into our church but it will not happen without being intentional. We must teach & prepare our people for the times when our ministry will come in contact with people who are "different". But how differnt from us are they really? We hav e a responsibility to lead our people and teach them how to love and reach out. This past Thanksgiving was an eye opener for me. It is the first year we rented the local community center and fed over 150 homeless, lonely, a lesbian pimp and more. We also gave out clothes n such. In the past getting volunteers was like pulling teeth. However, I told our church that on Thanksgiving we were going to feed the homeless, poor, gang banger, pimp, prostitute etc., between 80-100 of our church people showed up to help make someone elses day better and love on them with the love of Christ. I have told my church when 2 men or 2 women come in holding hands invite them to sit with you and love on them as you would any other guest that comes to our house. Our looks and crimes may be different but our need for a savior is the same.
ReplyDeleteIn 2009 I am challenging our church in 4 areas!
1) Live intentionally (nothing of value happens by accident)
2) Worship passionatley (it's all or nothing baby!)
3) Love unconditionally (do I really need to explain?)
4) Give generously (silver and gold I may not have but I have a hand to lift you up!)
If Samuel anointed a king based on the criteria so many churches use for reaching out to people, would David have ever been anointed King?
It's all about balance! Eddie, if you came to NHIC, you'd give our people an A+ by the question you raise.
ReplyDeleteThe wild hair, open gay and lesbian behavior, and the like have proven to be indicators (from my experience) of major rebellion issues. To be honest, I would not allow my 12 or 14 year old boys to be influenced by blatant rebellion if it tried to enter my home. I believe that we also have a responsibility to protect our church - our children and youth especially - from people who flaunt their rebellion.
We just had one of the Vice Presidents of the Hell's Angels in church. The man who killed one of my former coach's sons twenty years ago was released from prison just four weeks ago. He's been in church every Sunday since. We've got former gang members, prostitutes, homeless, gay and lesbian, transgender, and more who worship with us each week.
You'll be hard pressed to find anyone who loves people more than I do...but I cannot and will not tolerate open and flagrant rebellion. Today, the above mentioned have left their former "communities" and lifestyles, and joined the "Kingdom". They are not fighting for their rights, they have surrendered to Christ.
What's my point? I agree with Todd, we must be intentional. But, we had better prepare our leaders for the awesome task of discipleship ahead; and walking in the place of spiritual fathers and mothers who will not only accept them but but also correct them (in love - of course)!
This area raises alot of thought. Jeff, I do not know you very well but my short time around you confirmed what I had heard in terms of your passion for Christ and the lost. I think our churches should reflect our community. Some would say I don't have "those" kind of people in my community. I would say to those people who say this that either you live in a town called your own little world or you are ignorant of what is going outside of your church. I want the mind of God for my church and the heart of God for my community. I agree we need to train our leaders, prepare our people, let them know who is coming and what to expect when they do. I remember one night youth pastoring in Perris. We had about 150-200 teens at our weekly youth service at the time. One night during worship I oberved 2 teens exit the building and go around back. When I caught up to them (surprised them as well) I found them with a bag of pot and a pipe to smoke it. I told them to dig a hole, bury it, come inside for service and after service they could go dig it up or whatever. They came inside (I never did go back and check about the stuff they buried but there is a huge bush there now... j/k)I also asked them to never bring stuff like that on sight again and they agreed. They cme back each week for several weeks until one night they both came down with tear filled eyes and gave their lives to Christ. My point is this. I want people to come as they are. I would not allow 2 gays to flaunt their stuff in the church but come in together and enjoy the service you bet. I will not embarrass a woman by judging her dress attire and wrapping her up with some altar cloth and embarrass her in the process by telling her she is inappropriate for church. I have conversed with young people who have wanted to know about God, go to church and be told they needed to change something before they could come whether it be their clothes, peircings, hair stye and color, cover up a tattoo etc. How is that giving people a reason to come. I want a church "where no perfect people are allowed" and watch Christ do what he does best.
ReplyDeleteIf they come, they're probable seeking in one way or another. Let's not run them off with our "change before come" mentality and love them into the kingdom!
Thanks for your comments. i absolutely love provoking thought to each of us as Pastors. The bio that i gave to you is actually someone that is attending clc in Rolla. They have attended several times and feel very accepted but they are seeking and i will help them find what they are seeking. i fully agree with Jeff & Todd. We must protect the innocent but also love the unloveable and connect the disconnected. If our churches are not attracting people far from God then we cannot fulfill the Great Commission Christ gave to us. never forget that He said "i will leave the 99 to save the 1 lost sheep". I love it. You guys ROCK MY FACE OFF!! I cannot wait to spend more time with you guys. I know the NPN gathering is not happening now but I would love to come out to CA and get together with you guys for a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteEddie, I would love to spend some time with you, Jeff and the other guys. Why can't we make NPN happen? I realize $ is tight so let's take the burden off of our Bishop and agree to pay our own way (plane, hotel etc.) We can meet at one of our churches to help with cost and we don't need a speaker. We can be intentional about our movement and what we ca do a leaders to advance our cause. I think 2 days together sharing in a small group of influencial leaders could be awesome! Just a thought. I may call Bishop Scott and menton it to him. What do you guys think?
ReplyDeleteim all in with you Todd. Let me know what Bishop Scott says. Although we can get a few guys together anytime if you want to help put it together.
ReplyDeleteLet's you and I connect. I misplaced your number. Call me when you can 951-529-2370. That is my cell for you or anyone who wants to reach me.
ReplyDeleteLove ya bro!