A Cowboy and a Bartender walk into a church just before services were to begin. This motley crew of jeans, t-shirts, boots, tattoos, and hats were spotlessly clean. In their hands were worn-out bibles. The church they entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church they had ever seen.
The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories. As the Cowboy and Bartender took their seats, the others moved away from them. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed them. They were appalled at their appearance and did not attempt to hide it. As they were leaving the church, the Pastor approached them and asked if they could do him a favor. ‘Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship.’ They each assured the Pastor they would ask God that question.
The next Sunday, they showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirts, boots, and hats. Once again, they were completely shunned and ignored. The Pastor approached them and said, ‘I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our Church. ‘We did,’ each man replied. ‘If you spoke to God, what did he tell the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?’ asked the Preacher. ‘Well, Sir, God told us that He didn’t have a clue what we should wear. He said He had never been in this Church before.
Erwin McManus has gone coast to coast – Orlando to the OC in two days, sharing of the importance of places and the church’s role and responsibility. Thanks Erwin for your heart, passion, and recognition for Third Places.
Here are his main points with some thoughts I sprinkled in:
Erwin McManus
1. Create a place for others – where people different from us feel welcome. · You may want to ask others not like you what they think · Someone Great that we follow had a great tendency for doing this.
2. Create a place in the Marketplace – where everyday life happens. · Contributing to the community vs. Simply Consuming of it · People need to know who they can trust to have a conversation with · The marketplace doesn’t need a watered down gospel, they need a gospel that makes sense
We need to love, love covers a multitude of irrelevance.
Post Offices were once considered viable Third Places. During a time when mail was not delivered to businesses or residences – people would contastantly gather at the Post Office and linger in conversation.
The following article was found online at: http://adjix.com/prwg
Government moves to help churches deliver public services including day care centres and post offices By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:38 AM on 25th March 2009
Churches could be used as post offices or day care centres so they become useful to everyone in the community and not just worshippers, according to official Government guidance. Ministers also want charities and other public bodies to overcome their ’squeamishness’ about giving money to religious groups.
A guide published by the Government and the Church of England tells clergy how they can obtain grants to make better – and wider – use of their buildings. It says churches are often ideally placed to run services as they have good-quality buildings and willing workers with a deep knowledge of their local areas.
‘Growing trend’: Rt Rev Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, said 12 post offices operated out of church buildings
The guidance will not only help local people but also aid the preservation of historic churches, many of which need repairs. At least 12 post offices operate from church buildings in the UK while many more of the 16,000 parish churches host child care centres, youth clubs and cafes.
Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, said: ‘Churches and other places of worship are at the heart of neighborhoods. They are the local landmarks by which we navigate and they often represent the best of our heritage. ‘Both the buildings and the people that frequent them, are so often active in enhancing the lives of many people, offering services to meet the needs of the local community.’
The Bishop of London, the Right Reverend Richard Chartres, said: ‘This is an example of a growing trend to return church buildings to their original function as places of worship but also places of assembly and celebration for the whole of the local community.’
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has said the Government will not support any further post office closures. He said: ‘The closures of the past year were difficult but they were necessary.
‘The network is now on a more secure footing and better placed to look to the future. And its unrivalled network of branches, strong brand, face-to-face contact that it offers – all of these are the Post Office’s real assets.’
You’ve heard of the Morning After Pill – personally I’ve never taken one – for obvious reasons, but I did get to thinking about The Morning Before PILL.
In reflecting on what means the most to me; what keeps me up at night; and how I’m doing at living that out – I came up with this (it is not FDA approved – so take at your own risk):
THE MORNING BEFORE PILL – what if we start each day considering
POTENTIAL: unlocking the potential of ourselves and those we come in contact
INFLUENCE: understanding that you are a Superhero to someone; so act like one
LEVERAGE: everything counts – so make it all count
LEGACY: you can only take with you what you give away – so have nothing left when you go
The choice is yours: take the PILL to start your day or take the PILL to try and erase your day.
Marines guarding the casket and body of one of their own; trading duties with two other soldiers – such beauty in the care and protection of their brother. A man with a white beard and Scottish quilt playing Amazing Graze on bagpipes as he led the family into the church. 21 shots fired into the air, a bugle playing Taps, Marines folding a flag to hand to the beautiful bride of a fallen soldier –
I’m still very much struggling to find the words to describe this past week. A young man that I had the honor and privilege of youth pastoring was killed in Iraq this month. Last week I was asked to come and participate in the funeral services. I am very blessed and humbled to have been a part of this young man’s life. At 25 yrs old, he lived more than many people twice his age.
What I recognized through all the memories, photos, and stories that were shared is that Justin had discovered his passion and given 200% to it -figuratively and literally giving his whole life what he was passionate about and felt called to do. Justin is the quintessential balance between compassionate heart and committed soldier. I am so inspired by the life that Justin lived – it has already made a difference in my life these past few days.
Part of what I shared in the services was that “We may not always know God’s will – and even when we do, we may not always understand or even like it; but even when we don’t know or understand or like God’s will – we must remember and know that God Will —- God Will use Justin’s life far after his death and in some ways even more; just like He did the life of his own Son.” Justin invested his life into the live of others and that is how one Leaves A Legacy –
Thank you to all who Live your life protecting mine and for all who Give their life so I can live mine – may we all LIVE the life you’ve given us the Freedom to live to it’s fullest.
There are a lot of upsides to the times we are living in: creativity, innovation, and a return to recognizing how much we need each other.
In Chris Seay’s book, The Dust Off Their Feet – Acts 2:44-45 it says, “There was an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed; they shared all their material possessions in trust. They sold any possessions and goods that did not benefit the community and used the money to help everyone in need.”
Leadership Journal just published a brief column entitled Jobseeker Sensitive, bringing to light some ideas for churches to consider as a way to use what they have in their hands to help those in need who are closest to them:
Networking: sponsor a monthly lunch for jobseekers and business leaders in your congregation / community to meet. Start a new small group especially for jobseekers.
New Skills: Job-hunting has changed in the past decade, and workers released from long-held positions may need a refresher. Invite a job counselor to teach resume writing, interviewing skills, and job hunting on the web.
Office Space: Provide room at the church several mornings per week for unemployed people to get out of the house and work on their search. Counselors recommend spending as much time on the search as they did one the job (in other words – make it your Job to get a Job).
Jobs: even small ones to provide involvement and participation. Draft a list of odd jobs around the church. Even volunteer jobs give a person reason to get up in the morning. And recruit unemployed people to lead the ministry to unemployed people
Shareyour thoughts: What are ways that churches could use their existing facilities to help the Jobless?
Ever asked how do you have a Third Place, when you don’t have a First or Second? Below is a true story from yesterday and borrowed from an amazing guy I’m proud to call my friend – Jake Stum [@jakestum / www.jakestum.com ]
TRUE COMMUNITY
I had an overwhelming experience at church this morning. I help lead a class that targets our homeless population. This morning we had almost 30 people in our class. In the last few weeks we have had three people get jobs and they are now looking for housing. This is exhilarating to me, but the really cool part is what else is happening–story time…
First, let me tell you about a friend that I will call Bob (not his real name). We helped him get a job about a month ago. He was able to get a little car and moved out of the warehouse and into his car. With his first pay check he went and bought some whole turkeys and brought them to the church. He said that because the church had done so much to help him, he wanted to give something back.
Second, this morning was amazing. One of the guys in the class, who has recently gotten a job, fixed up some used bicycles and brought them to the other members of our class so that they could have transportation to job interviews. Then a senior adult ladies class heard what was going on and has offered to donate the money for this guy to continue buying bikes and fixing them so that everyone in the class can have some type of transportation.
Third, we have had several who have committed their lives to following the way of Christ who have NEVER been into our sanctuary. They wouldn’t feel comfortable there, but we have made a place for them to connect in community.
Geez! I sat in the class witnessing the church in action. Unbelievable. Don’t know what else to say.
Jake has stuck his neck on the line to love and provide a place for this Community and God is both pleased and showing off like only He can.
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