Christian Paraphernalia...

I'm reading this great book right now...actually two: "To Busy Not To Pray" & "They Like Jesus But Not The Church"...today we're gonna touch briefly on the latter of the two and something I saw this morning at Starbucks.

In "They Like Jesus But Not The Church"...the concept (at least in the first few chapters) is that people who aren't "Christians" have a distorted view of "Christians" - and rightfully so. We use a coded language - calling each other "brother & sister" - we talk about the blood of Jesus (which to the outsider seems bizarre), there have been numerous moral failures by pastors that make the 6 O'clock news, and church can seem like a club that doesn't want new members. We as "Christians" insulate ourselves in this church bubble...where all our friends are christians, we all have the similar habits and lifestyles, and we even have our own "Christian paraphernalia" (clothing, jewelry, bumper stickers, etc...).

Which brings me to my time at Starbucks this morning. I got there early to get my $4 caffeine fix and to study for Sunday mornings teaching. About an hour into my studies...three guys walked in. As a pastor and having held other staff positions in the past...I'm pretty good at spotting "church staff / pastors" when I'm out and about. These three guys walk into Starbucks...and instantly I peg them as "staff pastors" and I notice they're wearing Christian t-shirts (their t-shirts weren't as lame as the ones to the left...but pretty close). And instantly I recall the stuff I've been reading in "They Like Jesus But Not The Church."

These guys might as well be wearing t-shirts with the text printed in Sanskrit or Hieroglypics...stuff that is completely foreign to everyone alive today. That's what non-Christians see when we're promoting our "religion" on t-shirts and bumper stickers...something that isn't relevant or meaningful to them.

I'd challenge you on a few things...
* Get out of your "bubble" of Christian influence...your Christian friends are already Christians...spend some time with non-believers.
* Be real and transparent with people you come across.
* Let people see Christ in your actions...BEFORE you ever mention Him.
* Please don't wear lame Christian t-shirts...just kidding...no I'm not...yes, I am...kinda.

Hope to see you Sunday.