Just outside the Church

Last Sunday was “Marathon Sunday” in Detroit.   More than 26,000 runners, acording to the Detroit Free Press, ran in the Detroit Marathon that goes directly past our church.  As thousands more lined the streets to cheer, it was a fun early morning of ecouraging others as they push through the 26.2 mile race. This video is what it looked like in front of Mariners Church at around 8:00am last Sunday.

Because it was a little rainy, cold, and windy, we had hot coffee, donuts, and water bottles for people to enjoy in the church building.  We invited them to come in, warm up, and use the restroom. Some went into the Sanctuary to pray, sit quietly, or take a few pictures.  Everyone appreciated the hospitality who took advantage of it.  

To those who didn’t come in we brought the water to them.  Others, I just gestured to our open door and told them about the free coffee in donuts – “if you want to warm up.” Some did. Most did not.  I don’t blame them; it wasn’t really why they were there.

As I thought about the race this week, it became a bit of a metaphor for how people interact with church and a relationship with God.  Most run right by without ever going in.  Sometimes they stand just outside, perhaps a little suspiciously, wondering if they were going to be sold something.  Some do come in and appreciate the warmth and hospitality.

There was one couple who had a small baby who stood with me all morning.  Eventually, they came into the church, had coffee, and changed their little daughter’s diaper.  We spent an hour or more talking intermittently as they waited to cheer for a family member running the race.  We talked about their family, their home up north, and their church background.  They were Catholic and I was standing there in my collar, so they had a lot of questions.  When their sibling ran by, we all cheered together.

It reminded me that being in relationship with others is really the only way to see people trust and enter church.  Engaging in conversation outside the church allows people to wonder what is going on inside the church.  They will trust you must faster then they will trust an organization or an institution.

Even this week news of national scandals in the church were reported once again.  It can be discouraging as national church leaders are accused of wrong doing.  It causes you to wonder why anyone would want to enter this beloved place we call ‘church’.  They continue to stand just outside or run on past.  The best way to impact our city and see lives change is to go outside the church walls and to speak to others you know, and don’t know, and invite them in.  

Jesus told a parable about this once.  He spoke about a great banquet a man gave and invited many people.  People he invited made excuses and didn’t come.  Then the man said, 

“Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’  (Luke 14:21)

When there still was room at the table he said, 

“Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” (vs. 23)

This parable, like all of Jesus’ parables, is about growing the Kingdom of God. The banquet is symbolic, not of filling a church, but to ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’.  However, the call to go out is the same as we want to see people come to church and hear about the good news of Christ.  We must be willing to leave the pews with the message of the Gospel, if we are going to see more people in our pews.

Usually this going out isn’t at a Marathon, of course.  Normally it’s those who live next door, go to your grandkids school, or maybe you meet at the gym.  These are the people that we are to be ambassadors of the Gospel.  

Romans 1:16 says, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (ESV).  Paul then goes on to say in Romans 10:14,

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

This week ask God how you can bring this beautiful news to someone who may have run past the Church their whole life, but just never was invited in.  God may speak to someone through you and change their life forever.

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Todd