JR. Forasteros - September 15, 2013
Connect with the UnChurched
Many Christians attempt to connect with those in their communities who are not part of their faith communities with programs and formulas. But when we see that God has not divided the world into sacred and secular, we are free to embrace those who are different from us in sacred friendship. Like Jesus becoming human, we can form meaningful connections with those who are not part of a church naturally and lovingly.
From Series: "The Next Right Thing"
This year, Beavercreek Church of the Nazarene turns 60 years old. Over the last 60 years, we've made Jesus famous in our community by Bridging Church to Neighborhood. As Jesus has for us, we've gone into our neighborhoods, taking Jesus' love with us and showing our community in tangible, practical ways that Jesus loves them. Now it's time to take the Next Right Step. What will Beavercreek Nazarene look like in the next 60 years? What kind of church will we become? For the month of September, we explore our new vision, imagining together how it will shape our announcement of the Jesus' Good News in Beavercreek, Ohio. We want to become the Church that connects and engages the unchurched in our neighborhoods. What does that look like? Join us as we dream together!
More Messages From JR. Forasteros...
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Last Summer, my wife and I took a trip to Los Angeles. We were waiting to board the plane in Dallas when I saw someone holding a question brick from the Mario Brothers game (the art was 8-bit and everything). The man holding the brick did not have a thick moustache and a red newsboy cap. Instead he had a big mop of curly hair. I recognized him instantly.
It was Weird Al Yankovic. He of music parody fame. Right there. In the flesh. Getting on OUR PLANE with a MARIO QUESTION BOX.
I freaked out a little bit. I love Weird Al. Immediately, I wanted to get a picture with him.
The whole flight to LA, I kept imagining how I would approach him. Obviously I didn’t want to be a nerdy fan boy. And of course I realized he’d be long gone by the time we got off the plane – Weird Al flies first class!
But then we got off the plane and there he was. Almost like he was waiting for me! He started walking for baggage claim right ahead of us. There I was, following Weird Al through LAX.
Amanda kept prodding me: Go ask him for a picture! I was so nervous. But this was my big chance!
So I walked a little faster, got up next to him. Prepared my speech. “Ahem. Mr. Yankovic?” But then my voice froze in my throat. Because, out of the corner of my eye, I really looked at him for a moment. He was looking down at the carpet, walking with the hurried weariness of a person who’s home from a long trip (haven’t we all been there?).
I heard two guys passing us the other direction exclaim, “Whoa, that was Weird Al!” He didn’t react or respond. I realized that, with such an iconic look, he must hear that all the time. And I thought about my own travel, when I’m almost home how the last thing I want is to be bothered.
So I dropped back to walk with Amanda and let Weird Al head out to get his car while we headed to baggage claim.
Amanda asked me why I didn’t stop him, and I couldn’t exactly put my finger on it in that moment, but I kept thinking about it for the next several days. I realized that I have this drive inside me for acclaim, for celebrity. I want to be known, to be loved, and associating myself with famous people was a way to get that.
In other words, I wasn’t nearly as interested in meeting Weird Al as I was in the likes and comments the pictures would generate.
I was interested in him for what he could get me, for how I could feel about myself. That’s an ugly attitude.
I know a few of you in here can relate. You know exactly what I was thinking and feeling in those moments because, like me, you want acclaim and affirmation. But that’s not everyone.
What are you seeking?
Good things become idols in our lives. When we become too focused on these , we miss God in our lives (and, like I nearly did with Weird Al, we miss the image of God in other people – they become means to satisfy our drives).
