Ever have one of those foot-in-mouth experiences?
The other night after The Refuge I was talking with a couple of the leaders and as we were chatting a lady had walked by on the nearby sidewalk and stopped to ask a question. It was almost fully dark so I couldn't see this lady that well. She went on to ask if we were a part of a church and what the our church was all about.
Well, having just hung out with a bunch of youth all night the first thing that popped into my head was the Sunday school answer "God." So, before I could rationalize this specific response I blurted it out, along with a little chuckle. What I didn't notice is that this lady wasn't joking around as I had hoped she was. Instead she looked right at me and said, "what's so funny about God?" Quickly we also realized that she was definitely on some kind of drug and wasn't thinking logically or cohesively.
Even though I know that a logical person would have taken my answer in jest and not taken it so literally it definitely made me stop and think about how I represent God to others. Are we so quick to make light of what God really means to us? I definitely will think twice before answering another question like that.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Starbucks Revelation
So, I'm here at my second office (that's Starbucks for those of you who may not know) and I had a moment of pause as to why this place is so comfortable and refreshing to hang out at. Besides the obvious one-of-a-kind flavor of Starbucks coffee I had to make a list of what draws me here.
The first thing that comes to mind is the atmosphere. When I come in it feels familiar and warm, a place that I've had long conversations with good friends. The staff usually greets me with a smile and makes me feel welcome. They make an effort to memorize my name and favorite drink. When I come in it almost seems like another family that I belong to.
The second thing that comes to mind is consistency. I always know what to expect when I come to a Starbucks. Sure I know "my" Starbucks more intimately, but I could be across the world and know with confidence that the drink I order there would taste identical to what I'd get at home. This is a key selling point that Starbucks rests in knowing consistency wins consistent business.
So, in light of these observations it made me think about the church. Are we a place that creates an atmosphere that people feel comfortable in? Do people walk through our front doors and know that they will be greeted with a genuine smile, that their names won't be a casualty of common courtesy? Will they feel excepted as part of the "family?" Unfortunately I think the church body often doesn't present this kind of atmosphere. Furthermore, people should be able to see consistency in the body of Christ. Too often we see many different agendas and representations of who God is throughout the global church body. Why can't we walk into any church anywhere in the world and know that we'll get the same God.
The first thing that comes to mind is the atmosphere. When I come in it feels familiar and warm, a place that I've had long conversations with good friends. The staff usually greets me with a smile and makes me feel welcome. They make an effort to memorize my name and favorite drink. When I come in it almost seems like another family that I belong to.
The second thing that comes to mind is consistency. I always know what to expect when I come to a Starbucks. Sure I know "my" Starbucks more intimately, but I could be across the world and know with confidence that the drink I order there would taste identical to what I'd get at home. This is a key selling point that Starbucks rests in knowing consistency wins consistent business.
So, in light of these observations it made me think about the church. Are we a place that creates an atmosphere that people feel comfortable in? Do people walk through our front doors and know that they will be greeted with a genuine smile, that their names won't be a casualty of common courtesy? Will they feel excepted as part of the "family?" Unfortunately I think the church body often doesn't present this kind of atmosphere. Furthermore, people should be able to see consistency in the body of Christ. Too often we see many different agendas and representations of who God is throughout the global church body. Why can't we walk into any church anywhere in the world and know that we'll get the same God.
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