This past weekend was a long, fairly difficult one for me. To start, for second consecutive week, I have been at a high school winter camp. This time was with the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) for Buhach and Atwater high schools. The camp itself went well, but I think that being away from home for 6 out of the last 10 days began to take it’s toll on me, even though my family was able to make both trips with me.
When I returned home on Sunday afternoon I was pretty much spent. I just wanted to sleep, but we have this amazing gathering of people that happens every Sunday night, and I play a role in making that thing go. I got there and was immediately stressed (for no reason, really) at having to set up chairs, sound equipment, clean tables, etc. That would have been okay, but two people who have only recently started to attend 604 (the name of our gathering) showed up early and were clearly drunk. These two people are a brother and sister who are at any time only days from being homeless, they have no jobs, and they “hustle” (as they call it) everyday to just get enough money for food. The have been to 604 quite a few times, and I have been encouraged that they have been so lovingly accepted so far into this community…So seeing them come to our service intoxicated broke me.
I called our worship team into my office just to pray for me, which I really needed. I love that in an instant I have so many friends that are willing and able to encourage me and lift me when I feel like I can’t make it…
But this brother and sister, who in retrospect I should have asked to leave when they arrived, or to sit in my office while we got them some food, joined us in worship and were as disruptive as two people could be. The man moaned and whaled at the songs that were being played. The woman danced around in front of the congregations and forced them to clap for her after the songs. The entire thing was extremely uncomfortable.
To make a very long story short, I and a friend drove these two home when things began to get WAY out of control. They began yelling and cussing at each other, accusing the other of being an alcoholic, or dope smoking, or whatever else. Once threw a plate of food in the other’s face and hair.
And I was at a loss as to what to say or do.
But I realized afterward that if i want to be a part of a community that loves, invites, and includes the broken, something like this is bound to happen. I am beginning to understand how messy church should be. I am growing in the knowledge that most of Jesus’ physical ministry here on earth was taking people who were messed up beyond what society would tolerate, and making them insiders, including them into the the greatest and best Kingdom that has ever been or ever will be manifested on this earth. I am coming to experience and to give grace in the most scandalous ways, knowing that we are all broken, inept, imperfect people, and the only way we become whole, able, and perfect is through the eyes of a loving God who wants to give those same eyes to those same people. It’s beautiful and frustrating, amazing and thoroughly crazy.
I love my church, my friends who are on the same path of experiencing Jesus and giving his love to those who may not deserve it, but need it most.
Matt, I wish HALF of america’s congregations had even a Piece of the wisdom and compassion that you have. At the church i try to force myself to attend, people are cast out if they dont own the seasons latest prada shoes, or the dunnie and burke purses that clearly Jesus said you HAVE TO HAVE to be saved….or at least that seems to be their opinion. Oh how I long to experience once again, the love, guidence, acceptance and joy that once filled my life thanks to friends and fellow believers such as yourself that now more than ever embodies the image of HOME. I pray daily that the Lord takes the heartache out of the experience of being away from that place that even if only in my mind, is where i belong. I will continue to pray for you and you ministry. I know that as the Lord has blessed me overabundantly through you and the walk, the experiences, the changes in life and soul that you and your family has given to me so freely. And I know that I am only one of so many. Keep on keeping on. Matt, thank you.
I like that ending… beautiful and frustrating, amazing and thoroughly crazy.
I just think about how messed up I was once, maybe not to the extent of that brother and sister, and the fact that Jesus put up with a lot even before I could appreciate it… beautiful & amazing!
It’s an awesome thing to welcome in broken people… I wonder if Jesus would fit the standards of entry to our churches today?