We have had quite a few “first time ever in a church” guests over the past several weeks. Wow is this ever an eye opening experience for me. I am sooooooo churched it’s sickening sometimes. I have to have someone from a completely different culture help me to speak or explain things I take for granted. So here are the top 5 of the past few weeks, questions/comments.
1. In our study group after reading a passage in the Book of Acts chapter 26. “What are our 12 tribes?” I answered, “They are the 12 tribes of Israel.” A couple of blinks and then “Well ….this might be a dumb question but…who are the 12 tribes of Israel?’
2. After a Scripture reading in church when John the Baptist said “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” A woman walks up to me and says…”I don’t get it?” Why would that guy John call Jesus a Lamb, I’m sure it means something?
3. After the collection plate went by..and our worship pastor said “If you are a guest here today, please understand there is no obligation to give, this is for our members and regular attenders,” a guest of one of our members asked her if she had to pay her membership dues every week. He thought we were like the Rotary club.
3. Question asked after the service ” Do you have to stand up to sing? Or is it so you can see the words on the wall from the power point”?
4. From a college student who is looking for a moral compass…told to his friend who invited him to check out the church…after we gave him a coupon for a cup of coffee…”That just creeped me right out…why would the church want to give me something for free?”
5. All time great comment to me to date was asked of me this afternoon…regarding a reading from Joshua read in church this past Sunday when Joshua said “Choose this day whom you will serve” a first time ever in a church person said to me “Do you Christians have to be told who to follow, don’t you already know? “
I am so happy that we have first timers checking us out. I am thrilled with the church for inviting them. We truly want people to know we want them to come as they are so they don’t have to stay where they are!
The best part of this is that they are asking questions…they are telling us what they think and most importantly they are being told the greatest story ever told and they are listening. I am praying for 5 people specifically to grab hold of Jesus, because I know that Christ can change their lives.
So what kinds of questions are people asking you?
