I recently read an article that made us change up our stage setup. I'm a church boy, we're a church, and just like growing up in your parent's house, you do things a certain way until either the light comes on automatically or someone helps flip the switch for you. In this case, it was the latter for me.
Anyhow, here's the question that got me: Where else in the world do you walk into a musical venue and all the singers are lined across the front of the stage with the band either crammed into a corner or serving as the backdrop for the singers...but CHURCH? Not to say that that's the wrong way to do it or anything, but our church is very strategic in reaching un-churced people. So we want to do everything that we can to create a welcoming and normal atmosphere for those who have never been exposed to church before! The goal is to remove any controllable hindrance from the path of those who are seeking truth in order to help them find the One they're looking for.
It's cool when you get that feeling inside of you that goes deeper than the buzz you get from just a good idea, ya know? That's what I felt when I read this...like God was suggesting this. "It's not just a good idea...it's a GOD idea!" Yes, I hear you laughing (mostly staff), but I don't care!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Homeless
A week ago Saturday, Pastor Timmy and I spent 24 hours in the shoes of a homeless person. We were dropped off at 7:00 a.m. down by The Plaza, and we were on foot with only the goods in our backpack until 7:00 a.m. the next morning when we arrived at church unshaved, unshowered, and feeling not so fresh (for real).
I was amazed at how many homeless people we encountered and got the chance to talk to...I guess when you're actually looking, it makes a difference! We heard so many different stories of how these people ended up on the street, and when you really think about it, most of us are not that far removed...say, maybe a paycheck or two?
I'll never forget the people we met, especially this one guy. His name was Richard, and we ran into him in the middle of a park across from one of the nicest hotels in the city. It appeared he was hiding; he was enclosed in a landscaped area of small trees and shrubs, and he was leaning back on his pack smoking a cigarette. But when I approached him and said hello, he was nothing but polite, and immediately started talking like he hadn't had a decent conversation in a while. After about a half hour of chit chat, he looked at me and said, "Thanks for stoppin', man. You see all these people walking by here...they don't give a f---. Thanks for listening. Thanks for lettin' me get that off my chest."
I felt like we did more for Richard by simply acknowledging his existence and lending an ear than we ever could have by giving him money. In fact, he never asked for a dime. Instead, I think he felt that we were actually interested in who he was, where he's been, and where he's going.
As we walked on with sore feet and sunburnt faces, I felt this little glimmer of hope inside of me. What if everyone treated these people like they were valuable, like they mattered, like they had purpose? What if we all treated people--all people--the way Jesus would?
Charity is one thing...love is another.
I was amazed at how many homeless people we encountered and got the chance to talk to...I guess when you're actually looking, it makes a difference! We heard so many different stories of how these people ended up on the street, and when you really think about it, most of us are not that far removed...say, maybe a paycheck or two?
I'll never forget the people we met, especially this one guy. His name was Richard, and we ran into him in the middle of a park across from one of the nicest hotels in the city. It appeared he was hiding; he was enclosed in a landscaped area of small trees and shrubs, and he was leaning back on his pack smoking a cigarette. But when I approached him and said hello, he was nothing but polite, and immediately started talking like he hadn't had a decent conversation in a while. After about a half hour of chit chat, he looked at me and said, "Thanks for stoppin', man. You see all these people walking by here...they don't give a f---. Thanks for listening. Thanks for lettin' me get that off my chest."
I felt like we did more for Richard by simply acknowledging his existence and lending an ear than we ever could have by giving him money. In fact, he never asked for a dime. Instead, I think he felt that we were actually interested in who he was, where he's been, and where he's going.
As we walked on with sore feet and sunburnt faces, I felt this little glimmer of hope inside of me. What if everyone treated these people like they were valuable, like they mattered, like they had purpose? What if we all treated people--all people--the way Jesus would?
Charity is one thing...love is another.
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