Well, it's hard to know what to report about VBS this week. One of the the things that I love about it is that I feel like I am doing something everyday to bring the Gospel to folks. At our church, a lot of the VBS attendees are not members, so we have no idea if the things we share with them are brand new or if we are reinforcing soemthing. I actually like living in the mystery of that a little. Sharing it like it's new is not a bad thing, even when it's news we are used to. But moving on...

Going back to my "original" thought about doing something everyday to bring the Gospel to folks, I like this part, and I have mixed feelings about it. One thing I hope to have done every week is make two little boys and their parents feel welmcome, happy and comfortable at church. the boys were having separation "issues", Mom was stressing a bit about their behavior, and I hope that I was able to make them all comfortable. And that had nothing to do (directly) with the gospel. It was easy to tell these people needed some reassurance. Preschoolers don't hide their opinions very well, it was easy to see they needed help. Now, I wonder who is around every Sunday, or on another day, not showing their feelings and emotions, that needs our help to get a little more comfortable? How can we do that with out knowing specifically who these people. Welcoming people (and I assume make them feel warm & fuzzy) is indeed at the heart of the gospel, so, this should be a priority.

I continue....at my church, we have visitor's parking spots, greeters at the door, a very easy to use bulletin, communion instructions, and more signs directing people where to go than we have people sometimes. I think all of these things are good.

But, what are you doing? Let share ideas and think outside the box. How can we all be better at welcoming the strangers (and maybe the strange) among us?

A positive begger...

After posting a negative story last night, I went to bed a little upset that my first post was not more positive. Many of you know that my bed is not a place where I sleep, but rather one where I think, read, watch movies, or pretty much do anything but sleep. At any rate, I was thinking last night, and I remember someone else who wondered into our church parking lot looking for help. It's a much more positive story, and I am much happier to tell it.

A few weeks ago, we were having a BBQ on the front lawn to raise money for an upcoming mission trip. As we were cleaning up, a women wandered in. She told us she was a traveling preacher of the gospel and could we help her out with some gas. One of the men helping us clean up immediately offered to help her. She was so happy!!! Then we started talking. She wanted to know more about what we were raising money for, and we wanted to hear more about what she was doing. In the end, we gave her all of our left over food, and helped her with the gas she needed. It was a really positive experience. One of the cool things about it was that many of our youth were a part of what happened that day. They got to hear her story, and be a part of our response to her needs.

I am glad that I had this thought last night. It helps me put balance on the other experience.

Our "No Cash" Policy

Policies are a good thing to have. But only if you are going to stick by them. Last week, a woman pulled into our parking lot and demanded cash. She said she needed it to pay for tolls to get somewhere. I offered her directions on a non-toll road. Then she demanded cash for food. I offered her anything out of our food pantry she wanted, but explained that we had a no cash policy. Then, she wanted cash for gas. I offered to go with her to gas station and purchase it with my credit card. She left the parking lot, enraged that that I would not help her.

I am fairly sure that that woman did not exactly leave with a picture of Christ in her mind, and I did not manage to share the Gospel with her. Was this my failed attempt?

Not exactly an upbeat posting for my first one out there, but, 3 1/2 years of working at a church has taught me that something funny always comes along. VBS week is coming, if there is not a funny story there, it's time to pack up.