I was having lunch at Silver Bay yesterday with Tim Winkler (our worship leader) and a very sharp young man who is interested in working with our teens.  Towards the end of our lunch I took the opportunity to share what is happening at 5 Point with our waitress.  Gave her one of our Thin Ice cards and told her I hoped to see her one Sunday real soon. 

It wasn't a minute later a lady got up from the table next to us and headed straight for me.  I didn't recognize her so I stuck out my hand and introduced myself.  Her response, "I know who you are."  I felt like this was not the beginning of a good conversation.

She asked if she could sit down and ask me some questions.  I assured her she could ask me anything, and she did.  In order to keep this short, I want to give you some of her questions and my responses.  Understand this woman came to me with a very gentle spirit.  She really wanted to know why we do what we do.  It is probably good that you know she was from a independent Baptist church in Pickens.

1.  "Why do you allow your people to dress casual?"
My response - Jesus wore his everyday clothes to the temple.  Fancy clothes are just another barrier for a lot of people.  they don't have nice clothes.
2.  "I've seen how some of your people dress and it is unacceptable"
My response - I agreed, some of our ladies do dress entirely to pervocative and this is usual the case of a woman wanting attention.  Let her know I've said from the pulpit more than once, "If it ain't for sale, why advertise it?"
3.  Why do you have lights and smoke going? Shouldn't we be different than the world?
My response - lights and smoke are not evil, I like electricity.  We do this because we want people to feel at ease from the get go.  Plus, its just cool & fun.  Great atmosphere.
4.  Did you realize you made every independent church mad when you put on your margue, "A church for those who don't like church"
My response - Please understand my heart mam, I don't care.  I'm not trying to reach people inside the walls of your church, we're trying to reach people who have been burnt by churches and churched people and our community is full of them.
5.  Did you know there is another church down the road that always responds to your sign?
My response - Yes, and it breaks my heart.  What is this showing the unchurched?  To me, it si showing them all churches do is fight so why go to one?
6.  Do you preach against homosexuality?
My response - not every Sunday.  She responded with, why not?  My response, right beside the verse stating that homosexuality is a sin it states that slander & gossip are sin also.  Is bashing other churches any more of a sin than homosexuality?
7.  "Do you have confusion in your church?"
My response - (with a somewhat puzzled look I'm sure) No!
8.  "Your people continue to sin."
My


I could continue but I think you get the point.  All I did was try and ove on her.  Asked, no begged her to come to our early service (which would allow her to get back to her own church before 11:00) and see what we do before judging us.  She assured me she would, but only if I would listen to what she believes is wrong.  I agreed to this because I'd love to hear her point of view.

I want to finish with one statement that stuck out during our conversation.  It could be the biggest compliment I've ever received about our church.  She said, "I gotta give you guys credit, you've made a lot of churches look at the things they do when it comes to reaching people."

WOW!  If 5 Point is helping change lives in other churches also, that is awesome because were all on the same team.  I truly hope she will come to one of our worship experiences.

I hope when people question you about our church you lovingly answer all their questions and invite them to and experience the difference.