like a fire

I am more and more seeing a trend that started a long time ago in churches. It all started when I used to go out after youth group with those who were there. We would go to Shoney’s or some other low budget place and crash through there with all the energy we had pent up listening to the pastor teach us the fundamentals of the faith. I thought it was awesome to take over a place and act goofy.

Later, as a youth pastor, I saw another side of this. It was a tradition for the youth ministry to go to a restaurant after our meeting, and if they had some type of free food, that was even better. We were asked to leave one place after another. Sometimes it was how loud we were, but many times it was from people taking advantage of the free food (free chips at Moe’s, etc.) These weren’t poor kids by the way, they were mid to high socio-economic kids. I was very worried about how our behavior affected what people thought of Christianity.

Now, I am at Panera with no less than three full on Bible studies going on. One is a men’s group of about 7, they are pretty tame. Another is a small group of three guys with their very LARGE study Bibles. But right next to me, just moved in, is a group of third grade girls (8 girls and the leader). Loud isn’t even close to describing it. The leader is actually having a conversation with someone in another part of the building. That’s right, she’s yelling halfway across the restaurant. She also took all the chairs from around my table (while smiling at me, of course). She is talking about lice to illustrate the gospel and trying somewhat successfully to capture the attention of these very awake third grade girls. She has just started telling them that God’s plan for them is to share the”good news” with everyone they see. I suggest starting with being a bit more considerate.

When did Christianity become so annoying? Maybe annoying isn’t really even the word for it. Maybe it is just inconsiderate mob behavior. I know we are all fallen and have the problem of sin, but this seems to be an epidemic. No wonder people are so unfriendly to Christians.

Oh wow, while I am writing, I was listening to a question one of the girls asked. “My aunt is Jewish, kind of, she doesn’t really go to synagogue often, is she saved?” The leaders response, “Oh, sure, sweety, she believes in God.”

I need to find another place to eat.