AWOL Christians
I did a wedding last Saturday. The path to that is important.
Two years ago I met John who recorded my first radio spots at a local station. John is a 20-something, lives with a partner and they just gave birth to their first child. As I have done more and more spots at the station, our relationship has grown, and John calls me “friend.” His partner has no religious roots or affections, but she likes me and my wife Bev.
Recently Alice, who works with John, asked me if I would do her wedding. She knows me mostly through my relationship with others at the station. I was honored to serve them this way. At the wedding there were a host of people from the radio station, and the wedding was the buzz on Monday morning.
What was striking to me was that most of the “christians” at the ceremony stood around in their own groups (the few that bothered to come anyway). A golden opportunity to grace others, and they huddled together. This is my critique of christendom: It is AWOL from the community at large. What’s sad is that the community at large is open-armed and happy to let us in when we behave ourselves.
-Bruce Logue
December 26th, 2008 · 2 Comments
Categories: OA Stories
John Akers said
am December 27 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Bruce - I understand your sadness and frustration, but I think your brush stroke is actually too narrow. I have done many, many weddings with un-churched folks. At these events, most people hang with those they know and are most comfortable with, and appear AWOL from the world at large–seems to be a human tendency. Weddings by their nature can be artificial gatherings. You attend knowing a friend of a friend or family member–and it can be uncomfortable for many people–especially introverts.
When I was taking my coaching training, it was mostly with those who did not follow Christ. After a few weeks together, at lunch, some of them asked me just what type of pastor I was. When I asked them what they meant, they said, well I was friendly, fun and genuinely interested in them. Like you, I was saddened by their view of Christians especially “professional” ones.
It would be very easy for me to take some kind of credit here, but as one who has at times “hung” with my little group, I realized why it was so easy for us to enjoy each other, even though we held so many different spiritual views. We had something in common. We were sharing together, a passion and a learning experience.
I believe the solution to AWOL believers, is just to become involved with people of like passion and interests. Join a community club, group, or organization (not one in the church) and just be yourself around people of common interest.
Your commonality with the people at the wedding came from your involvement at a station with people that were involved in what you were trying to do on radio. You were sharing life around something that mattered to you. This is how we can be light and offer grace to people—from sharing life together. This is a more realistic way to touch other’s lives, than the artificial gatherings, where only extroverts (Christian and non-Christian alike) seem to mix it up.
John Gallegos said
am December 30 2008 @ 1:18 pm
Hey Bruce,
You, John Akers, and myself see AWOL Christians. We even admit we do the AWOL thing ourselves from time to time. It is a sad situations, I agree.
However I am encourage by your story:
1. You notice the problem, a great start
2. You are commited to being part of the solution and not just complain.
3. You are encouraging others to be part of the solution.
thanks,
john gallegos